MyLittleBlackDressBlog

Before you even think about makeup, you need to think about the canvas you are working with. I mean the skin, especially the skin on your face. So before you start running off to buy that $24 lipstick, think about investing in some simple skin care FIRST.

The widespread misconception about hair, makeup and skincare products is that a price= fabulous results. This is something that those in the beauty trade pedeling over priced products would like us to think, but often is it not true.Cheap makeup from rite aid can look just as Chanel is applied right, On the other hand, Chanel can look indrecibily tawdry if badly applied. La Mer cream which often runs over $100 a jar can make sensative skin react negetavily, where cetaphil from the drugstore works wonders.
But, is the grass greener on the other side? Is paying a lot of money for skin care, makeup worth it? When it comes to makeup in general, I say no.
Now that you are young, it is time to start taking yourself. What you or don’t do know could have effects down the road. Doing the right things like taking care of your skin and eating right can helping you way down the line. On the flip side, excessive drinking, smoking, drugs and tanning could end up having far reaching negetive effects that you will come to regret.

The cheat sheet: A quick guide to a great beauty routine.

Skin Care:
Morning
1. Clense: This is the first step. It clears away all of the residue/oil from your skin and gives you a fresh palatte to work with. Most women only spend 10-20 seconds clensing, try for a little longer, to get everything off your skin.

2. Tone- if needed. Depending on the toner. Good for people with oily skin, or those who wasnt to make sure that all of the residue is off from the clenser.( If you have particularly dry skin, like me, you might not even need to use a toner, if you do, make sure you use one that has no alcohol and can be soothing to dry, sensetive skin.)

3. SPF: This is VERY important. Get 15 or higher. NO ifs and or buts. A great place to throw this in is later down the line, in your foundation if you wear it.

4. Serum: This is up to you, but serums tend to promote anti-aging. Consult before using. See what serum is would be most beneficial to your personal skin type.

5. Mosturize- The use of this depends on how dry your skin really is. Most women put too much on,for people with a tendency twords more oily skin, lots of mosturizer can clog pores, but for people with extreamly dry skin, lots of mosturizer can be a godsend.

Moisture comes in a cream or a lotion, if your skin is oily, I would recommend a lotion as it is lighter, dry skin does better with a creme, and really dry skin, the thicker the better.

6. Eyecream: A good eyecream is essential. The skin around your eyes is very susestible to damage, and is one of the first places that signs of aging appear. A good eye cream can protect these areas.

Evening
1. Clense

2. Tone

3. Serum

4. Eyecream

5. Nightcream- Helps repair the skin during the night while you are sleeping.

Weekly
1.Exfoliate: This helps sluff away dead skin cells and gives the skin a radiante, healthy glow. For dry skin, exfoliate 2-3 times a week

2. Mask ( optional) A mask you can use when ever you want to kick back, and relax, or when ever you think you could use one. There are all sorts of masks, but don’t just grab any old one, you need to pay attention to your personal skin type. Those with oily skin might want to use a deep clensing mask, which can be clay based, or a peel off mask. People with dry skin should avoid clay based masks, and probably don’t need much deep clensing since thier pores are rather small. Dry skin needs moisture, and this can be found in a nice array of a moisture mask, which often comes in a gel like form.

Every 1-2 monthes

1.Facial at a spa: Not everyone needs facials this often. Again, it has to do with your skin type. Oily/combonation skined ladies are more likely going to be needing extractions only a professional can do. Dry skinned people might be able to benefit from other things an professional can provide them like a customized mask. People living in the city, even if they are dry skinned might also find that they need to go more to the spa then if they lived in the country, the amount of pollution and dust and dirt in a city can clog even the smallest pours.

If you can afford this, it is an excellent addition to your skin care regime. A facial is a more heavy duty verison of the regime here. Also it will include extractions, and other more professionally does services. A facial is a good time to talk to an ethstician about what your skin concerns are and what you should be using.

This may look like a grueling regime, but I do think it is important to really pay attention to your skin. To me it is more important then any makeup you put on your face. Taking care of your skin will mean that you will have beautiful skin not only now, but for years to come, that is something, that no makeup can offer. I urge you, if you are torn between spending a lot of money on cosmetics versus skin care, choose to invest more of your money in your skincare. You will thank yourself for taking such good care of yourself 30 years ago.

Skin care is an investment, sometimes a pricey one, so before you think about getting those new shoes, you might want to think about stocking up on skincare instead. Skin care can be bought anywhere from Neiman Marcus to Rite Aid.

Obviously not everyone is going to go out and buy the whole La Mer Regime, and even if you have the money, it might not even be the best line for your skin type. I am going to list some of my very favorite brands, very affordable skin care so you can get started on your regime, without breaking the bank

Cetaphil: Dermatologists swear by it, a great line for people with sensetive and dry skin. Sold at drug stores.

Boots: A British drugstore known for creating excellent skin care for a reasonable price. Its products have been started to be created for Target, so you can get them there.

Kiehls: A very old company who’s products are just a little more then department store prices, but very natrural, they have a great selection. Can be bought at department stores like Nordstroms and Bloomingdales, also Kiehls retail stores.

For the girl who is just starting out, I have devised a week by week plan, so you don’t have to whole hog right away and can save yourself some money, and remember, always pay attention to your skin type.

Week One: The bare basics
1. Clenser ( Dry skinned people should stay with one which does not foam up)
2. Toner ( if needed, check with an expert, skin that is dry most likely does not need a toner)
3. Mosturizer ( Another if needed, if your skin is very dry, for example it is flakey or tight in your t-zone, your skin is dry, if your skin tends to be more oily, you probably don’t need mozturizer, as this will promote more oil)
* Don’t forget an SPF!!

Week Two: More basics:
1. Eye cream: Usually applied twice per day, this protects the very delicate skin around the eyes, and will help with fine lines that have also formed, some even help with puffiness/dark circles.

2. Night cream: This essential helps heal your skin during the night when your skin does most of it’s natrual repair.

3. Exfoliator: Good for sluffing away dead skin cells once a week, be very careful of which you buy, especially if you have sensetive skin. Do your homework when buying this and pay attention to labels.

Week Three: Not essential, but great to have:

1.Mask: For me, a mask in an essential. My skin care routine doesn’t seem complete until I have a mask on my shelf, but it is not a general essential.
A mask is a nice thing, there are many different kinds of masks, some that sooth, some that control oil, some that clarify etc. Look at what your skin needs and buy accordingly.
2. Hand balm/lotion: Protects the hands
3. Foot lotion: Same thing for feet, great for a day of wearing abrasive shoes, or sandles, or a day out in the sun.

The best thing you can do right now that you are young is to protect your skin. Use the advice that mom gave you. Stay out of the sun and tanning salons as much as you can. Wear an SPF when outside ( you can always get a mosturizer or a foudation with an SPF to kill two birds with one stone), Drink plenty of water and eat foods with fatty ac ids in it, like fish and green veggies. Don’t smoke and keep alcohol to a minimum, both substances are extreamly hard on your skin. Don’t go to bed with makeup on. Also, don’t smother your skin with too many products, once again, skin care should be at best a simple 3 step process.
Skincare is something that you ideally not to with out. Where it does not have to be expensive, you should have it ready supply. I have read in a few advice books that to save money on skin care products you should go to the skin care counters at department stores for free samples. This is not a good idea, chances are you can’t keep going back to get the same product so you will go to other counters to get a differnt product. Too many different products will cause your skin to break out. This is especilly not a good idea if you have allergies/sensative skin because this can really do damage.
When you have mastered the three step process of clensing, toning and mosturizing, you can invest in some other products if you wish. A night cream is good as it helps repair the skin while you sleep, a hand cream is excellent for protecting hands, as is an eye cream to protect the delicate skin around your eyes.
Your skin will thank you down the line for taking care of it.

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