Makeup Tips

SKIN CARE

Beautiful makeup always begins with beautiful skin.  If you happen to be one of those lucky people blessed with beautiful skin, thank your parents for those genes!  But remember, your skin changes as you age or depending on the season so it's always better to take care.  Get to know your skin  :)

1. Cleanse and Wash your face!  This is very basic.  Remove your makeup with a good cleanser.  Get it all out.  Wash your face when you get home from work or after a good sweat.  Exfoliate 2-3 times a week just to get rid of those dead skin cells and blackheads/whiteheads waiting to happen.  Part of my routine was to wash my face right before taking a bath till I changed my shampoo and broke out on my forehead.  Being blessed with good skin, I panicked and got a facial, only to find out that I was allergic to my new shampoo.  I switched back to my old shampoo and changed my routine to washing my face after taking a bath.  It makes sense because all the dirt from your hair washes down to your face and cleaning it all up afterwards.

2. Toner - I'm not really a fan of toner but I do it once in a while when my T-zone is very oily.  Some people tone after washing their faces.  This is fine but I recommend this for those with very oily skin.  Toner has the tendency to dry up your skin, and your face is at its driest right after you wash your face.  Go easy on the toner unless you're very oily, or only on the areas that need it.  Look for Alcohol-free toners.  Those are better because your face doesn't sting or dry up too much.

3. Moisturize - I am a big big fan of moisturizer!  Having moisturized skin keeps your skin hydrated and keeps your skin younger.  Use whatever suits you best.  Personally, I really like Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 for the day because it's lightweight, moisturizes and gives a flawless finish.  They have three types, the regular, illuminating and oil-free depending on your skin type.  I'm sure the lady in the counter will be more than willing to help.  Then, at night, I like to use Shu Uemura's Red Juvenus vitalizing retexturizing cream, which can actually be used for both day and night.  Again, depending on your skin type, they have a day cream which is lighter and a night cream which is much thicker for those with really dry skin.

4. SPF (UVA/UVB) - In layman's terms, UVA causes wrinkling and ageing and UVB causes burning.  Both can cause skin cancer.  Look for products that give you SPF coverage for both UVA and UVB, or Broad Spectrum.   Find SPF 15 or higher and put a teaspoon amount.  If you're a fan of BB Creams, look for those that have PA++ which indicates that it is anti-ageing.  Again, this is all a matter of preference.

5. Eat healthy and Hydrate - I cannot stress this enough and yet, I am very guilty of this!  Vegetables and fruits are really the way to go.  I do know some people who break out after eating chocolates.  Anyway, down it with lots and lots of water!  People are more prone to congestions (those lumpy things on our face that aren't exactly pimples) when they don't have enough water.  They're also more difficult and painful to remove during your facial.  Been there!

6. Exercise - My biggest battle is really this!  I used to hate sweating and therefore do not have any sport because I am terrified of flying balls.  Now, I run and workout in the confines of my locked room.  I admit, I feel much better after exercise and I feel the toxins coming out of my skin.  There was a time I stopped exercising and my skin paid for it.  

7. Avoid smoke - Thankfully this is something I do not do.  I noticed that when I am exposed to second hand smoke, I automatically grow a zit the next day.  Of course there will be times when this is unavoidable so I make sure to cleanse as soon as I get home (no matter how sleepy I am) and wash my hair lest it sticks to my face with all the smoke it accumulated.

8. Have a date with your bed and SLEEP! - I would very much love to get lots and lots of sleep, but unfortunately, not all of us are blessed with time to get our recommended 8 hours.  I will swear by this though because I remembered my skin clearing up on my first day of Christmas vacation after a well deserved 4-hour siesta.  Sleep really has healing properties.

9. SMILE - Smiling brings out the glow and youthfulness of every person.  I'm not quite sure if there's any scientific proof to this, but don't you notice how nice your skin is when you're happy?    When you're nervous or upset, you tend to itch and sometimes, rashes come out.  When you're happy, you feel glowing.  Maybe it's the endorphins?  Who knows, but really, whatever works!  :)