Slap a Coat of Paint on it & Call it a Day....I Don't Think So!

You wouldn't slap a coat of paint on a piece of furniture without sanding, priming and cleaning it first would you? Well, the same goes for your face. Although you can leave the power sander in the garage, we don't need anything that high powered.

In order to get the best results from makeup, you really should start with the best skin you can have. Having beautiful skin doesn't mean a ton of expensive products and a complicated routine. Let's face it (no pun intended) big companies know we are suckers for "miracle" cures and the elusive Fountain of Youth. It's really a bunch of smoke and mirrors. Some stuff works great, other stuff is a total waste of money. Not to say there aren't A LOT of amazing products out there, because there are. But let's just stick to the basics for now.

What do you really need to use on a daily basis?
 
Cleanser, toner (if you're oily or wear makeup) and moisturizer. 

Cleanser:
Pick one that suits your skin type (normal, dry, oily or combo). A product that says it is for all skin types is kind of like buying a shirt that says "one size fits all". You know that is far from true. If you wash your face and it feels tight like a face lift after, this is bad. It has dried you out too much. If your face is dried out too much from cleanser, you might as well forget the next steps. *In a pinch I use makeup remover wipes too. Quick and easy.

My favorites:

Formula 10.0.6 Best Face Forward

*SAVE* $4.99 at Walgreens

Givenchy Clean It Tender

*SPLURGE* $34 at Sephora

*Normally I wouldn't pay that much for cleanser but this one is FABULOUS! I bought it on vacation. You only need a pea size for your whole face. It lasted 8 months. Worth the money.

Toner:
Toner gets rid of all of the residue on your skin.Your cleanser should do the trick, but toner will take off anything that your water (minerals, salt, chlorine) and any makeup residue might have left behind. I tend to go a more mild route with toner as to not dry my skin out.

My favorite:

L'Oreal HydraFresh Toner

$6.49 at drug stores

Moisturizer:
Choose a moisturizer that is made for your skin type. Also choose one with a spf 15 at least. You have to protect your skin with sunblock even in the winter. Use it EVERYDAY. Nothing ages you like sun damage and if you're going to the bother of taking care of you skin, this is essential.

My favorite:

Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Lightweight UV-Lotion

$6.99 drug stores

I do use an eye cream as well. I started doing this when I turned 30. The skin around your eyes is really delicate. Take good care of it. I keep my eye cream in the fridge too. A trick I learned from my aunt. It feels great and is an instant de-puffer!

If you need to hydrate your skin, do so with a night time cream. These are good to use daily. I also exfoliate my skin 1-2 times a week. Especially since I do wear makeup every single day. It's not a bad idea to use a mask once a week as a deep cleaning treatment.

Check back tomorrow for more on additional skin care.

As we get older treatments, creams, lotions and potions seem really appealing. They are not a magic wand. Taking care of your skin daily and drinking a lot of water is your magic wand. Start now. Start today...for skin you'll love for years to come. 

Have a beautiful day!
xo
Bethany