1. Facial Cleansing
Facial cleansing is the first step to any skin care routine. It removes makeup, excess oil and dirt that builds up on the skin throughout the day. It also helps to prevent breakouts, dehydration and premature aging. Choosing the right facial cleanser for your specific skin type is very important. For example, someone with a sensitive complexion should choose a gentle formula such as NB Ceutical Tolerance Cleanser.
Other types of cleansers can include micellar water, foaming gels, creams, balms and oils. Heavy makeup wearers may need to use a cleanser that is more effective at removing makeup and sebum, like an oil-based formula. It is also helpful to use a cotton swab soaked in micellar water or makeup remover around the delicate eye area. Lastly, to lock in moisture, use a light moisturizer. This should be done twice a day — once in the morning and once at night.
2. Exfoliation
It might sound counterintuitive to scrub away the skin that sheds naturally every day, but this process is vital for brighter, healthier-looking skin. “Exfoliation removes the build-up of dead skin cells and dirt on the surface of your skin,” says Shah. “These dead skin cells make your complexion look dull and clogged.” Exfoliation can be done manually with a scrub or chemically with a face mask or peel.
It’s recommended that you exfoliate twice a week for clearer, more radiant skin. If you do exfoliate, don’t overdo it as excessive exfoliation can cause micro-tears on the skin that can lead to dermatitis, psoriasis and broken capillaries.”
A good scrub or exfoliating cream should be gentle enough for your complexion and should be used in small circular motions. It’s best to do this before applying moisturizer as exfoliation can dry out your skin. You can also exfoliate your body by using a body wash and loofah in the shower. You should also be sure to use a light, moisturizing cleanser and shower in lukewarm water so that your newly-exfoliated skin doesn’t get irritated. You can even add an acid serum or a shea butter to your routine for better results.
3. Moisturize
Moisturizing is the process of applying a lotion or cream to skin to keep it healthy and well-hydrated. Moisturizers are designed with different formulas and ingredients for a variety of seasons, skin types and other purposes. For example, warm spring and summer weather may require a lighter gel moisturizer while cold fall and winter weather may call for a heavier cream that contains occlusive agents such as petrolatum or mineral oil or emollients like esters and shea butters to create a seal on the surface of the skin that prevents transepidermal water loss. Moisturizing can also help reduce signs of aging and free radical damage, such as dark spots or fine lines.
4. Eyelash Extensions
Adding eyelashes to your look is not only an effective way to boost your lashes’ volume, but it can also enhance your eyes and face for a more glamorous look. Before you get your lashes done, make sure to consult a licensed esthetician that is certified in lash extensions. This is important because it requires precision work around the delicate area of the eyes. Additionally, if you are going to a Groupon-type salon, be sure to read reviews and only visit one that has high ratings.
Before the extension is applied, a lash artist will evaluate your eyelids to determine what kind of look you’re going for. They will also decide the length and curl strength of the lashes. Generally, your lash artist will use a combination of different lengths, concentrating on longer extensions in the outer corners and shorter ones in the inner ones.
When applying the lashes, your lash artist will dip each individual lash into medical-grade adhesive, which is then bonded to your natural lash. After that, the lashes will be curled and set with a mascara-like product, which gives them an enhanced look.
Once the lashes are applied, you should avoid water (including showering and swimming) and oily makeup or skincare products around the eyes for 24 hours to give the glue time to fully set. You can however, swim and sweat as much as you want after that period of time is up.
Despite the popularity of eyelash extensions, it’s important to know that when not applied correctly, they can cause permanent damage. If you have a reaction to the glue, which is called allergic contact dermatitis, you can experience burning and an itchy, swollen rash that may ooze or crust over. The best thing you can do is to find a trusted lash technician and follow all of their sanitation and disinfection protocols.
5. Makeup
Cosmetics are often marketed as harmless to use, but they can be harmful if you’re allergic or sensitive to certain chemicals. To avoid this, always read labels and make sure that you know what ingredients each product contains. You can also ask your dermatologist about safe cosmetics. A trick to remember is that makeup and make up are not the same words. As with compound nouns like takeout and kickoff, the word makeup is a noun and the verb form is make up.