4 Beauty Tips and Tricks (Continued….)

PART 2: Skin Care & Quick Enhancements
Note: This post is a continuation from my previous post.

#3 Skin Care – Problematic skin will always need more attention than normal. This doesn’t always mean that you will need more products! I have tried cleanser after cleanser, both department store brands and pharmacy brands. The fact of the matter is, the elements in these cleansers may work for a while but your skin will quickly become used to them and render them ineffective. The best thing that I have found, costs less than $10 for a pack of 6-8 bars is plain old Dove soap. If it’s gentle enough for babies, it will be just as gentle for your face. The great thing that I love about Dove
is that it is ¼ moisturizing cream, in addition to being a cleanser. The moisturizing properties will help to prevent over drying which can result in further irritation to your skin. Just wash your face twice-a-day, in the morning and at night. Dove is also effective in removing make-up as well without leaving any residue.  The second must have is a simple exfoliant. This can be something as simple as a sugar and water combination or an Apricot Scrub (which I use).  The St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub retails at Target.com for only $3.04. Skin care experts recommend that you exfoliate once or twice a week. However, if you are battling with problematic skin, this means you are probably producing more sebum (oil) and have more dead skin cells than the average person. For these reasons, I have found that exfoliating once (no more no less) daily will help rid your skin of the excessive build up. It's
better to exfoliate in the morning being that our bodies more actively shed dead skin cells at night while we are asleep. This will always help to keep your appearance looking fresh!  It’s that simple! No need for pricey systems and fad products. Your local pharmacy can handle your needs efficiently. I must note however, there are conditions which require the oversight of a Dermatologist. You should always consult your Dermatologist prior to changing your skin-care routines.

#4 Quick Enhancements – As a make-up artist, I often have clients who ask for quick and easy tips to enhancing their looks every day without having to spend an hour in the mirror. There are a few different products that you can add to your make-up bag to help you achieve this:

1.      Tinted Moisturizer – Making a small investment in a moisturizer that is tinted will 2-fold your money. You will provide your skin with its daily moisture that it needs and the tint will help to give you an over-all even tone without using foundation.  You can shop for a tinted moisturizer based on the brands you are most familiar with as most skin care/beauty lines should have one!

2.      Pressed Powder – If you need a little more coverage but not to the point that you would need or prefer a foundation, pressed powder is a quick and easy solution. The amount of coverage that you receive will depend on your method of application. For just a light coverage to even your skin, use a blush brush. I use MAC’s Large Powder Brush #134. For a great pressed powder that’s non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and is also hypo-allergenic is MAC’s Studio-Fix Powder plus Foundation. It’s a one-step powder that lasts up to 8 hours!  

3.      Bronzers – Bronzers are great to help give your skin some color all over however it works great as a highlighter or blush as well! Adding a little bronzer to your cheek bones will give you just the right amount of pop that you need to look refreshed and alive! It’s a simple easy step to pep up your appearance.

4.      Tinted Lip-Gloss or Lipstick – Making your lips pop will surely add some spice to your appearance by itself. Don’t be afraid to flirt with different colors, especially if this is all that you are putting on!

5.      Mascara – A lot of women are scared of mascara because we have seen it over-done time and time again! Clumpy lashes and pebbles of mascara underneath eyes are all turn-offs! This is one area that I would like to tell all of you ladies to make a good investment in. Great mascara will clump less and stay in place more. Pay attention to your eyelash type when purchasing mascara as well. I have reeeealllly curly lashes, so I use mascara that has a short stiff bristled wand on it which helps to almost comb them if you will.  You may have long straight lashes which may require a fluffy angled wand which helps to curl your lashes. This can make a big difference. You will only need to use a couple of coats to make your eyes pop without looking too “made-up” but it will help to bring out your eyes and give you a more put together look.

Of course there are more tips to come! I hope you enjoyed, and stay tuned for more! As always, if you have specific questions please Tweet, Facebook or email me at contactredrox@gmail.com! Ideas for future blogs or tips are always welcome as well! Xoxo