| How to Apply Vitamin C Serum for Facial Skin Care Posted: 05 Oct 2019 05:00 PM PDT If your skin is looking a little dull or you want to mix up your skincare routine, add vitamin C serum. To get radiant looking skin, wash your face and then rub a few drops of the serum into your skin. The antioxidants in vitamin C can reduce inflammation and help your skin repair itself. Remember to apply a moisturizer next and enjoy your glowing skin! [Edit]Using the Serum Effectively - Do a patch test to check for an allergic reaction. Rub 1 drop of the vitamin C serum onto a small patch of your inner wrist. Since the skin is sensitive here, you're more likely to notice a reaction to the vitamin C. Wait 24 hours to see if your skin is irritated or breaks out in a rash. If it doesn't, you can use vitamin C on your face.[1]
- If you do have a reaction to the vitamin C, don't use it as part of your daily skincare routine and mention it to your doctor or dermatologist.
- If you also use AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acids, wait a few minutes before applying the vitamin C serum or you'll risk irritating your skin.
- Plan on using the serum in the morning or before bed. Because your skin can only absorb so much vitamin C in a day, you only need to apply it once a day. Decide if you'd like to make it part of your morning skincare routine and remember to apply sunscreen after using the serum. If you prefer, apply the serum in the evening before you apply your nighttime moisturizer.[2]
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Splash cool water over your face and rub a coin-sized amount of cleanser evenly across your face. Use your fingertips to gently massage the cleanser into your skin for about 30 seconds. Then, use water to rinse the cleanser off of your face.[3]
- Use a cleanser that's designed for your skin type. For example, if you have sensitive skin, use a fragrance-free cleanser that doesn't contain alcohol.
- Dry your skin and pat toner across your face. Blot your face dry with a clean cloth and then soak a cotton ball in facial toner. Brush the cotton ball evenly across your face, but avoid getting toner around your eyes. Then, let the toner dry before you apply the vitamin C serum.
- If you have oily skin and use a toner that contains benzoyl peroxide, wait at least 5 minutes before using the serum. Mixing the benzoyl peroxide with vitamin C could prevent the serum from working effectively.
- Rub 2 to 3 drops of serum onto your face. Use the dropper in the bottle of serum to squeeze 2 to 3 drops of vitamin C serum into an open palm. Then, rub the fingers of your other hand into the oil and dab some of it onto your cheeks and forehead. Massage the oil evenly across the rest of your face.[4]
- Wait 5 to 10 minutes before applying moisturizer. Give the vitamin C serum a chance to soak into your skin before you put another skincare product on. Once your skin feels like it's absorbed the serum, gently massage moisturizer across your face.[5]
- If you're doing the facial in the morning, consider using a daytime moisturizer that contains SPF to protect your skin.
[Edit]Treating Skin Issues with Vitamin C Serum - Apply vitamin C with zinc to reduce inflammation that causes acne. Use vitamin C serum that also contains zinc once a day to fight bacteria that causes some types of acne. Since vitamin C also has an anti-inflammatory effect, it can soothe your irritated skin.[6]
- For severe facial acne, talk with your dermatologist about microneedling with vitamin C.
- Protect your skin from sun damage by applying vitamin C and E serum. If you'd like to protect your skin from damaging UV rays, always put sunscreen on your face before going out. Once you're back inside for the day, wash your face and apply vitamin C serum that also contains vitamin E.[7]
- The vitamins help your skin repair itself from sun exposure, which is why you should apply it after being exposed to UV rays.
- Add the serum as part of a skincare anti-aging routine. You've probably seen anti-aging skincare products that claim to increase collagen. Researchers found that applying vitamin C once a day can actually increase collagen production, a protein which helps your skin repair itself and minimalize wrinkles.[8]
- You'll need to use the vitamin C for at least a few months before you can expect to see an improvement in your skin's appearance.
- Use vitamin C serum to reduce hyperpigmentation. Sun exposure or pregnancy can cause noticeable dark patches to appear on your face. Apply vitamin C serum once a day to reduce the pigment that causes the dark patches to appear.[9]
- Keep in mind that you'll need to use the serum for at least 3 or 4 months before you might notice an improvement.
- Purchase a high-quality vitamin C serum from beauty supply stores, natural markets, or online. You could also make your own at home!
- Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for applying the serum.
- Store your bottle of serum out of direct sunlight. If you notice that the serum has turned brown, discard it and buy a new bottle that hasn't expired.
[Edit]Warnings - Vitamin C serum can make your skin dry, irritated, or flaky, especially if you have sensitive skin. Consider using a serum with a lower concentration of vitamin C or apply a smaller amount of serum.
- If you develop a rash or hives, stop using the vitamin C serum. You may want to let your doctor or dermatologist know that you suspect an allergy.
[Edit]References |
| How to Cut Jeans Posted: 05 Oct 2019 09:00 AM PDT Jeans are durable, versatile, and the perfect wardrobe staple—but sometimes, you might want to add your own touch to them. For instance, if you love the look of cropped jeans, you can trim the hem of your pants to create a frayed look. You can also cut your jeans into shorts to make them into cutoffs that are perfect for the summertime. If you want to leave the length of your jeans the same, you can also try distressing them to give them a lived-in look. [Edit]Trimming the Hem of Your Jeans - Try on the jeans and mark the length you want them to be. Put on your jeans and look in the mirror to figure out the point where you want them to stop. Once you decide on the length, make a mark with a piece of chalk or a fabric marker where you want the hem of your jeans to stop.[1]
- For a modern cropped look, try hemming them so they hit right at your ankle bone. However, you can cut them to any length you like, from mid-calf capris to barely grazing the floor, depending on the length you started with.
- Keep in mind that unless you hem them, your jeans will fray somewhat after you cut them. If you plant to let them fray, you'll actually need to cut about below the mark, so you may want to take that into account when you're deciding on the length.
- If you are planning to hem the jeans, leave an extra of length for the seams.
- Take the jeans off and draw a line about below the mark. Lay the jeans flat in front of you, then use your chalk or fabric marker to draw a straight line just below the mark you made for the hem. By adding the extra length, the jeans will still be the length you want after they start to fray.[2]
- Cut along the chalk line with sharp scissors. Use a sharp pair of fabric scissors and slowly cut along one of the chalk lines you drew. Cut through one leg at a time, as trying to cut through both legs at once will make it harder to get a perfectly straight line.[3]
- Do not attempt to use dull scissors to cut denim. You'll end up with a jagged, messy-looking hem.
- If you'd like, after you cut the first leg, you can use the strip you removed as a template to ensure both legs are exactly the same length. Just line it up perfectly with the hem of the opposite leg, then cut along the top edge. If you're concerned it will slip, you can pin it into place before you cut.
- Create a step-up hem if you want your jeans to be a little shorter in the front. If you want to make your own step-up hem, lay the jeans flat again after you've finished cutting them. Draw a line about above the new hem, only on the front side of each leg. Cut up each side seam, then carefully cut along the new line you marked.[4]
- This look combines the chic look of cropped jeans in the front with a flattering long line in the back.
- Hem your jeans if you want to keep their storebought look. To hem your jeans, roll up the ends about 1-2 times, then sew the hem in place with a straight or zig-zag stitch. Sew all the way around both legs.[5]
- Folding the hem twice will give you a neater edge. However, if your sewing machine isn't made for heavy fabrics like denim, only fold the hem up once.
- You can use thread that blends into the jeans or you can opt for a contrasting color, like yellow thread.
- Try your pants on and check the length, adjusting if needed. Check the length of your jeans in the mirror. If they look how you wanted them to, great! If you need to take a little more off the length, repeat the process until you're happy with the new style.[6]
- If you cut your jeans too short and you don't like how they look, consider making a pair of cutoffs instead!
- Put your jeans in the washer to fray the hem. If you want your cropped pants to have more of a frayed edge, run them through your washing machine on cold, then hang them to dry. For super-frayed jeans, finish them in the dryer.[7]
- If you don't want your jeans to fray, hand wash them as needed and hang them to dry. Use scissors to trim the white threads as they unravel.
[Edit]Creating Cut-Off Shorts - Choose jeans that are a little baggy in your legs. Jeans that are slim-fitting through your thighs will squeeze your legs awkwardly if you cut them into shorts. Look for a pair of jeans that fit you well at the waist and butt, then becomes more relaxed through the thighs. Straight-leg jeans, boyfriend cuts, and boxy high-waisted styles work well for this.[8]
- If you're in doubt, choose a pair of jeans that are about a size bigger than you normally wear.[9]
- Jeans with little or no stretch will be more durable after you cut them.
- Cut off the legs of your jeans so you have long shorts. Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the legs of the pants off from about the knees down. The cuts don't have to be perfect since you'll be measuring the length later. This will just give you less material to work with, making the whole process a little easier.[10]
- Put on your jeans and mark where you want the shorts to stop. While you're wearing the long jean shorts, stand in front of a mirror and determine where you want them to stop. Use a fabric marker or a piece of chalk and mark the length near the outside seam.
- If you want to cuff your jeans, leave about an extra of fabric at the ends.
- Since the shorts will fray, it's best to leave an extra or so on the length. Remember, it's always better to leave them longer than to cut them too short, since you can always cut more later if you need to.[11]
- Draw a new line so the inseam is longer than the outside. Take the jeans off and lay them flat, then look at the mark you just made. Imagine a straight line starting from the mark you made on the outside seam and going all the way across the jeans to the inseam. Measure down from the end of that line and make a small mark there. Then, draw a diagonal line from the new mark up to the original mark you drew at the outside seam.[12]
- If you cut straight across your jeans, the end result will actually look uneven, and you could end up exposing a lot more skin than you meant to.[13]
- Take off the jeans and carefully cut along one of the lines you marked. Use a sharp pair of scissors to carefully cut along the diagonal line you drew. Try to keep your line as straight as possible.[14]
- Using very sharp scissors will help keep you from having to stop and restart, which can result in jagged cuts.
- Fold the jeans in half and cut the other leg to match. Once you've cut the first side, fold the jeans vertically along the crotch. Smooth the denim out as much as you can, then carefully cut along the bottom edge of the shorter side.[15]
- This should ensure that your pant's legs end up exactly the same length.
- Cut small slits in the leg if the shorts are tight across your thighs. If the pants you chose weren't baggy enough, you might notice that your new shorts seem tight in your thighs. If that happens, just make a slit along the outside seam on each leg. This will help create more of a baggy, relaxed look.[16]
- Fold the jeans up and iron them if you want them to have a cuff. If you don't want the frayed edge on your pants to show, turn up the hem twice, about each time. Press the shorts with an iron to help hold the cuff in place.[17]
- For extra security, sew a single stitch through the outside edge of each cuff.
- Wash and dry to create a frayed hem. If you want a distressed, aged cutoff look, toss your new jean shorts into the washing machine, then put them in the dryer. If they're not frayed enough, wash and dry them one more time.[18]
- The best way to get that lived-in look is to wear your shorts until they fray naturally!
[Edit]Distressing Your Jeans - Put on your jeans and use chalk to mark the areas you want to distress. The best way to see exactly where your distressing should fall is to examine your jeans while you're wearing them. That way, you can see right where your knees hit, or the perfect spot for a big hole so you don't accidentally show more skin than you intended.[19]
- Popular spots for distressing include the knees, thighs, and back pockets of jeans.
- Take off the jeans and put thick cardboard into the legs. Placing a thick piece of cardboard inside the legs of your jeans will keep you from cutting all the way through to the other side when you're distressing them. If you don't have any cardboard on hand, you could also use a rolled-up newspaper.[20]
- Cut horizontal strips with a box cutter if you want to make a frayed hole. Many distressed jeans feature a square hole with white threads stretched across it. To make this, use a craft knife and carefully cut 2 strips, one on top of the other, about long and apart. Then, use tweezers to pick out all of the blue threads that run vertically along the strip that's left in the middle between the slits. You'll be left with white, horizontal threads.[21]
- To make a bigger hole, add more strips, the same width apart. If you want the hole to look more natural, make the strips wider in the middle, then gradually shorter to the top and bottom, similar to the shape of a diamond.[22]
- Rub sandpaper along the denim to get a soft, worn look. Sandpaper is a great way to instantly create authentic-looking aging on your jeans. Use a coarse sandpaper, like 36-grit, and rub vigorously over the area you want to distress.[23]
- Try using sandpaper around the edges of some of your other distressing to make it look even more realistic!
- Use a disposable razor to distress thicker areas. If you want to distress the pockets, waistband, or zipper of your jeans, take a regular safety razor, like the kind you use for shaving. Scrape the razor back and forth over the denim until you get the distressed look you're going for.[24]
- This will dull the razor blade, so don't attempt to use it for shaving after you're finished.
- Pick at an area with a safety pin to make a small hole. If you want to add a subtle distressed touch to your jeans, take a safety pin and work it into the fibers. Pick them away with the tip of the pin until you create a small hole.[25]
- This is a great way to add a subtle detail near a pocket or the waistband, for instance.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Trimming the Hem or Making Cutoffs - Chalk or fabric marker
- Sharp scissors
- Ruler (for shorts)
- Pins (optional)
- Iron (optional)
[Edit]Distressing Your Jeans - Chalk
- Thick cardboard or magazine
- Craft knife (optional)
- 36-grit sandpaper (optional)
- Disposable safety razor (optional)
- Safety pin (optional)
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Improve Composition in Your Photographs Posted: 05 Oct 2019 01:00 AM PDT There are a lot of elements involved in taking a good photograph, from finding the perfect lighting to choosing your camera settings. However, one of the most important elements of a photo is the composition, or how the image is arranged within the frame. It can take a lot of practice to learn how to compose a picture, but there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind as you get started. [Edit]Choosing Your Subject - Give the viewer something distinct to focus on. When you're choosing what to photograph, look for an interesting detail or object to be the main point of interest in your picture. This can help keep your picture from being too cluttered, which can leave the viewer unsure of where to look.[1]
- For instance, you might choose to photograph one person rather than a whole group, or you might feature one interesting stone on the bank of a river, instead of trying to focus on the entire scene.
- This doesn't mean that you only have to photograph one object. For instance, the contrast of a flock of dark birds silhouetted against a hazy sky can make a very interesting picture. Similarly, if you're looking at a row of cars, you might frame the shot so one car is the focus, with the rest of the cars extending into the background.
- Look for lines that point to the subject of your photo. Sometimes, you may be able to find lines or objects that point towards the object you're photographing. These lines will guide the viewer's eyes toward your subject, and you may see them referred to as "leading lines."[2]
- For instance, if you're photographing a building in the distance, you might include the road leading to it in the foreground of your picture.
- City skylines or natural horizons can provide horizontal leading lines in your photo.
- Consider including odd-numbered groups in your picture, rather than even. If you can, try to compose your photo so you're showcasing an odd number of elements. For some reason, the human eye tends to see groups of odd-numbered objects or people as more visually interesting than even-numbered groups.[3]
- For instance, you might photograph a group of 5 ducks walking down the sidewalk or 3 friends walking together in the snow.
- These elements don't always have to be the same thing. You could photograph a dog and a cat sitting next to each other while looking up at a bird, for instance, or you might shoot an interior setting featuring a couch, a lamp, and a large painting.
- Look for interesting colors to showcase in your photos. Color is very powerful in an image. It can draw the viewer into your photo, and it can help set a certain tone. To make your photo composition stronger, look around your subject for anything in the background or foreground that might add additional color into your picture.[4]
- Try to include contrast in your photos. Contrast creates tension, which will make any picture more interesting. You can feature visual contrast, such as differences in size, shape, or color, as well as more subtle contrast like light and shadow or sharpness and softness. However, you can also choose a more thematic contrast, like taking a picture of something new next to something very old, something clean against something dirty, or a very ordered sequence near something chaotic.[5]
- A person with half their face covered by a shadow can create a dramatic effect, for instance.
- Another way to create contrast is to include various textures, like paving stones nestled in the grass or a gravelly beach against smooth water.
[Edit]Framing the Shot - Place important elements in your photo along imaginary lines. To emphasize your subject, imagine lines running through or around the image, then try to arrange the picture along those lines. There are a variety of different lines you can use, from the outside frame to a spiral running through the entire image.
- It might seem complicated at first to imagine lines through your picture. However, as you practice composing your photos, you'll likely find that you start to do this without even thinking of it.
- Compose your image within the 4 frame lines on the outside of the picture. The first lines you have to image are the photo frame. This is the top, bottom, and sides of what the viewer will actually see. You may want to fill the frame with your image completely, or you may prefer to leave negative space inside of the borders of the picture. However, avoid cutting your subject off with the border of the photo, unless doing so adds a particularly dramatic effect.[6]
- Try to look for a frame within a frame, or anything that creates a natural border along your picture. For instance, you might photograph a person standing in a window or beneath an arch, or you might shoot a natural scene beneath an overhanging branch.[7]
- Place the image in the center of the frame if you're photographing something symmetrical. Symmetry is pleasing to the eye, so if you find something that's beautifully balanced, consider centering it in your photo, and fill up the whole frame. For instance, if you're photographing a bridge, you might stand at one end in the center, then balance the photo so the water and rails of the bridge are evenly spaced on either side of the picture.[8]
- Reflections of images in water are another example of symmetry that's beautiful when it's centered.
- Include horizontal lines to create stability. Horizontal lines in an image provide perspective and a sense of calm, so they can be a powerful way to ground your photograph. While the horizon or a skyline are always good options, you can create your own horizontal lines by including the tops of doorframes, lines on a rug, or electrical lines along a street.[9]
- While horizontal lines will give your image a sense of stability, they're not very interesting to look at, so try to include other elements in your photo to add tension, like vertical lines or contrasting colors or textures.
- Most photographs are shot in a horizontal (or landscape) orientation.
- Create power by including vertical lines in your image. Vertical lines cause the viewer's eyes to stop, so including them is a good way to bring emphasis to a certain object. For instance, you might photograph a person standing at the corner of a building, since the vertical line will call attention to your subject.[10]
- The taller something is, the more powerful it seems to be, so try to bring the vertical line all the way from the top to the bottom of the image if you want to create a sense of drama.
- To showcase a tall image, consider shooting your photograph in a vertical orientation.
- Divide the frame into a 3x3 grid to use the rule of thirds. One of the most common compositional techniques in photography is called the rule of thirds. This means you imagine dividing the image with 2 evenly-spaced vertical lines and 2 horizontal lines, creating a grid of 9 total squares. You can create an interesting, balanced photograph by arranging your image along these lines or placing elements of your photo where these lines intersect.[11]
- For instance, you might photograph a house so that the roof runs along the top horizontal line, with the chimney rising up along one of the vertical lines.
- Some digital cameras will have a setting that superimposes this 3x3 grid over your image, which can help you as you get used to composing your pictures this way.
- Use diagonals to add tension and carry the viewer's eye across the image. Diagonal lines have an effect that's somewhere between the stability of horizontal lines and the power of vertical lines. However, they can cause the viewer to feel uneasy, especially if you don't have any horizontal or vertical lines to ground the image.[12]
- For instance, tilting the camera so a building appears tilted can have an unsettling effect. However, a diagonal pathway stretching back to the horizon would be interesting without being overwhelming, and the viewer's eye would be inclined to travel along the path.
- Triangular-shaped objects, like a picture of a pyramid or 2 tree branches intersecting, can be effective at creating a pleasing tension in your photograph.
- Try following the rule of golden triangles to make use of diagonals. Divide the frame with a diagonal line running from one corner to another. Then, imagine lines coming from the 2 remaining corners, stretching down to the first diagonal. Compose your image so it falls along these lines for an artistic, dynamic feel.
- Include curved lines to suggest movement in your photograph. Curved lines give an organic feeling of motion to a picture, and they can provide a beautiful contrast against harsh lines. In addition, curved lines give a soft, feminine feel to a photograph. You can often find curves in nature, so look around when you're taking a picture and see if you can find one to include.[13]
- For instance, the gentle curves of flower petals are especially pretty when you contrast them against a brick wall.
- Imagine a curved line reaching from one corner of your photo, then spiraling in toward the center of your image. This is the golden spiral, and it's another guideline you can use for lining up the subject in your photo.
[Edit]Adding Visual Interest to Your Photos - Focus on elements in the foreground to add depth to a shot. When you're composing your picture, look for objects in the foreground that you can feature. This can help demonstrate the distance between the objects in the foreground and those in the background.[14]
- This looks especially artistic the focus would normally be on the object in the background, like including rocks or stones in the foreground of a photo of a waterfall.
- You can also blur the background by using a shallow depth of field if you want the focus to only be on the foreground of the picture.
- Pay careful attention to your background when you're composing a shot to make sure there's not anything that can be distracting. A tree branch can easily look like horns coming out of your subject's head, for instance.
- Change your point of view. Don't be afraid to get down on the ground or climb up high to give the viewer a perspective they don't normally see. A simple change in your angle can take an ordinary image and make it something really special.[15]
- For instance, try crouching down on the floor to get a good shot of a child playing, or stand on a stepstool and point the camera down and at a slight angle if you're photographing a plate of food.
- Use negative space to show movement. When you're photographing an object in motion, try to leave empty space in front of that object. That way, the viewer will be able to imagine the object moving into that empty space as it continues to travel.
- For instance, if a car is driving from left to right, you'd leave more empty space to the right of the car than to its left.
- The faster the item is moving, the more space you should leave.
- Similarly, your subjects should be facing into toward the center of the frame rather than toward the outer edges.[16]
- Compose your image from left to right. If you live in a culture where people read from left to right, you should keep in mind that most people also scan through an image this way. For instance, if you're taking a picture of someone walking, your composition will seem more dynamic if the person is walking from left to right instead of left to right.[17]
- Keep in mind that these are all guidelines that can help make your photographs sooner. However, they aren't hard and fast rules, so trust your artistic eye. Also, feel free to mix and match different elements as they suit you.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
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