I don't know about you, but my makeup certainly does not look as fresh at 4:00PM as it does at 10:00AM. During the day, simple tasks like walking around, eating, blinking...movement of your face in general can take a toll on your makeup. In addition, your skin will replenish oil during the day as time progresses after washing it as well as lose moisture. All of these factors can cause our makeup to cake, smudge, and fade. Thus, many women refresh their makeup throughout the day. Check out these tips for your mid-day touch up:
1. Clean up around your eye area
The most noticeable area that smear and fades is generally the eye area. Always keep some Q-tips with you to clean up around the eye area. Tackle more stubborn mascara and eyeliner smudges with Almay Oil Free Makeup Eraser Sticks ($6 at Ulta). They're basically Q-tips with a makeup remover formula in the middle of the wand. When you break it in half, the solution dispenses to one side of the Q-tip. And it doesn't leave an oil or residue behind. Even though I typically wear gel eyeliner, I keep a creamy pencil liner in my purse for any easier liner touch up.
After all that, sometimes my eyes still don't look as awake as they did in the morning. If I'm going out to dinner or something after school or work, I'll line the inner corners of my eyes with a shimmery, white eyeshadow (using a brush, wand, Q-tip, or white eyeliner pencil) and dust a light cost of the shadow under my bottom lash line to make my eyes pop and my eye makeup look sharper. It really helps counteract any darkness around the eyes (from makeup smudging or fatigue) and acts as a light-reflecting luminizer to brighten.
2. Mattify oil
When you wash your face in the morning, you rid your pores of excess oil. However, during
the day, your skill will slowly replenish that supply. By mid-day, your face may appear shinier than it was in the morning. Excess oil may also cause some foundations and powders to cake. So, keep some Palladio Oil Absorbing Rice Paper Tissues with Rice Powder ($4 at Ulta) in your purse. You don't need to invest in expensive blotting tissues because drug store ones can do the job. I really like the Palladio ones because they absorb oil really well without smearing makeup like other blotters do (make sure to pat not wipe oil from your face). Just don't overdo it...you shouldn't be blotting more than three times per day because constantly removing oil will send a signal your skin to produce more oil. Eventually, this can cause your skin to overproduce oil.
3. Wake up your complexion
To top it off, dust your face with a sheer pressed powder like the Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Pressed Finishing Powder ($34 at Sephora). The powder will help also help absorb any excess oil. I prefer a pressed powder because they are generally a more light-weight, and they're more mess-proof for easy storage in your purse and reapplication. In addition, I prefer a powder with a sheer coverage (rather than a transparent one or one with fuller coverage) and radiant finish because a slight touch of color and luminosity won't interfere too much with the makeup on your face. In fact, it can even your skin tone and give your
complexion a little lift.
For days when your complexion is looking particularly dull, gently pat a small amount of Mally Perfect Poreless Primer ($35 at Ulta) over your face before you apply the powder. I save it for certain occasions only because I don't like the fact that it contains bismuth oxychloride. But I must say that it's the only primer that I have stumbled across so far that looks okay over makeup. As a primer, it helps seal in moisture, smooth, and brighten. Mally herself claims that this is a good way to rid your face "mid-day crusties" and keep your complexion glowing.
4. Reapply
With eating, it's pretty hard to keep your lip color on all day, so don't forget to reapply it throughout the day to keep your face looking fresh. Adding an additional coat of mascara can also spruce up your look. Lastly, you may need to retouch any blemishes or dark spots that you spot cover with concealer. Slim concealer pens like the Shiseido The Makeup Corrector Pencil ($18 at Sephora) are perfect for the job. It's compact for carrying around, while the stick formula glides on easily and allows for a precise application.
5. Rehydrate
Throughout the day, your skin will lose moisture as time passes after applying your morning moisturizer. Also, many foundations work by pulling moisture from your skin, which can be dehydrating. To set your reapplied makeup and replenish your moisture supply, spritz with some Avene Thermal Spring Water ($9 on drugstore.com) over your makeup. Not only will your skin look refreshed, but it will feel refreshed too.
If you find that you have to reapply your makeup multiple times a day, you can probably take better measures to keep your makeup on. For example, try using a setting spray like the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Spray ($29 at Sephora) to set makeup in place better than a setting powder or long-lasting foundation alone. You can also use primers to keep your mascara, eyeshadow, foundation, and lip color in place. Some really effective healthy options include:
Hopefully, these tips will help you freshen up so that you can put your best face forward every time of the day :)
We often hear the terms toner and astringent used interchangeably. But do they mean the same thing? Which one is best for you?
Well...
The two products are in fact very similar. They both refine/tighten pores and help remove excess oil, dirt, makeup, and residue. There are a few slight differences though:
Astringents often have antiseptic properties that help clean bacteria from skin's surface and unclogs pores. In addition, they generally have an alcohol content that mattifies oil. Thus, astringents are ideal for younger women, oily skin types, and blemish-prone skin. Natural astringents include witch hazel and cucumber.
Product recommendations:
Toners tend to be alcohol-free and more gentle than astringents. They are often better for balancing and softening skin. For example, aloe and rosewater are natural toners. Women with mature skin, combination/normal/dry skin types, or sensitive skin should choose a toner rather than an astringent.
Product recommendations
- Caudalie Beauty Elixir ($18 at Sephora) for mature skin. Like all Caudalie products, this elixir has grapes for powerful antioxidant protection against aging. With nourishing essential oils, it is a part toner, part serum that leaves skin feeling moisturized.
- Origins United State Balancing Tonic for combination skin. This product keeps the skin's pH balance in check...reducing excess shine in the T-zone and softening dry areas of the face.
- Murad Hydrating Toner ($27 at Sephora) for dry skin. The toner helps restore hydration to the skin with lecithin to keep skin supple. And vitamins C and E provide antioxidant protection.
- Korres Pomegranate Toner ($20 at Sephora) for normal skin. Pomegranate extract is a natural nutrient-rich ingredient that will condition and rejuvenate your skin to reveal a radiant glow.
- Avene Gentle Toner ($20 on dermstore.com) for sensitive skin is formulated with softening and soothing spring water. This toner is hypoallergenic and so gentle that it is suitable for even the most sensitive skin types.
Should you be using a toner or astringent? Yes! Most toners and astringents say to use them day and night. You should definitely be using one at night after cleansing and before treatments and moisturizers to clean up anything your cleanser may have left behind. Also, tightening your pores will keep dirt and toxins out as well as make your complexion look and feel smooth and refreshed. I like to use a cotton ball to help sweep away residue and toxins from my skin, but you can totally spritz toner/astringent if you prefer (though it may not clean your skin as thoroughly). Whether or not you use it in the morning is up to you...it's not as big of a deal if you don't because it's not as essential for your skin to be squeaky clean. Using an astringent in the morning will help reduce oil during the day if you tend to get shiny. And tightening your pores in the morning can improve the appearance of your skin throughout the day. Personally, I use a moisturizing toner in the mornings more for its smoothing and softening effects so that my makeup holds better during the day.
Do you use a toner or an astringent?
If you took a peek into your grandmother's makeup drawer, you may have found products like the Coty Loose Face Powder, Avon Here's My Heart fragrance, Yardley false lashes, or Noxzema Skin Cream. Many of these age-old beauty products still effectively keep women looking youthful, healthy, and fashionable today. But we've come a long way in improving the efficacy of these products as well as in phasing out some of the harmful cosmetic ingredients that were used decades ago.
Here are some healthy substitutes for some vintage cosmetics that remain classic beauty product staples for women today:
1. Cold Cream is a rich, creamy emulsion composed of water, fatty acids, beeswax, and mineral oil. Thus, it is ultra hydrating and smoothing. There is currently quite a selection of cold cream derived products (creams, lip salves, cleansers, etc.) on the market.
Out with the old...Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser
Although ancient empires like the Greek empire used early version of cold cream, it was made popular by Pond's. Women in the early and mid-twentieth century used to apply it before they went to bed to cleanse skin (remove makeup and dirt) and provide deep hydration. You could rinse if off to reveal instantly soft, smooth, and radiant skin or leave it on to seal in moisture. The more modern version of this product is the Cold Cream Cleanser, which you typically do wash off immediately. The problem with this product is that it contains a potentially harmful paraben as well as mineral oil.
And in with the new Avene Cold Cream Ultra Rich Soap-Free Cleansing Bar ($9 on dermstore.com)
Although I don't know of any liquid cold cream cleansers that are toxin-free, Avene makes a cold cream bar that does all that the Pond's product does...gently cleanses, soothes irritation, and traps in moisture for supple, soft skin.
2. Talcum Powder is finely milled talc that is used to absorb moisture and reduce shine.
Out with the old...Johnson's Baby Powder Original
When we think of talcum powder, we think of Johnson's. We used it as a baby and then used it on our own babies. The two ingredients in this product are talc and fragrance. I must say that I do like the smell of it, but it can be irritating to sensitive skin. Also, there is growing research on the potential dangers of talc in beauty products. Talc is a mineral used in powders to help the skin with absorption and to
decrease caking. Studies on animals have shown that frequent inhalation
of talc can increase your risk of respiratory issues such as lung
tumors. Although limited research has
been conducted on this claim, some scientists believe that talc can increase
your risk of developing ovarian
cancer.
And in with the new...Burt's Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder ($6 in drugstores)
To play it safe, try Burt's Bees baby powder. It has the absorbancy that regular baby powder has, but does the job using corn starch. It's more natural than talc and just as effective for reducing shine, preventing heat rashes, absorbing dampness, etc.
3. Creme to Powder Foundation is a creme compact foundation to allow for easy application and buildable coverage. It transforms into a powder when it comes in contact with your skin for a light, airy feel.
Out with the old...Max Factor Pan-Cake Makeup
Max Factor launched its famous Pan-Cake Makeup with the positioning that it was the foundation of Hollywood. It actually lasted until only a few years ago, when it was discontinued. The brand even featured the glamorous Judy Garland as the ambassador for the product. Basically, Pan-Cake Makeup was a mixture of a pigmented powder and a dehydrated cream. You simply had to put some water on the sponge and swirl it around in the pan to loosen and apply the makeup. Afterwards, it dried as a powder that felt light on skin. At the time, such a concept was really innovative and suitable for women, who wanted that gorgeous Judy Garland complexion without having to pile on heavy layers of foundation. In addition to the fact that this product no longer exists, it also contained toxins like talc.
And in with the new...Benefit Some Kind-A Gorgeous ($30 at Sephora)
Benefit makes a creme to powder foundation (goes on like a creme foundation and feels like a powder on your skin), but without the talc. It is also oil-free and settles to a natural finish. And it certainly blends into skin better than the original Pan-Cake makeup did.
4. Petroleum Jelly is essentially mineral oil in a thick jelly form that can help heal and soothe skin.
Out with the old...Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly
Most of us probably have a tub of Vaseline, the creators of petroleum jelly, in our medicine cabinets as a go to quick-fix for everything from dry hands to cracked lips to diaper rashes. The problem with petroleum jelly is, as I mentioned, that is indeed a quick-fix and doesn't necessarily fix the problems causing dry skin. Rather than
getting absorbed by the skin to soften skin from within, petrolatum and
mineral oil sit on top of skin, creating a lubricating barrier. Rubbing some Vaseline over your dry skin will temporarily fix the problem, but won't help heal or prevent dry skin in the long-term.
And in with the new...Alba Multipurpose Un-Petroleum Jelly ($6 at Whole Body)
Alba makes a play on petroleum jelly with their un-petroleum jelly. It has the same jelly feeling that Vaseline has, and you can use it for all the same purposes. Instead of using mineral oil, this product is formulated with beeswax and natural oils like coconut oil and castor seed oil to go beyond hydrating to nourishing skin as well. Plus, these ingredients can penetrate skin (unlike mineral oil) and help heal dry skin from within so that it goes away for good!
5. Red Lipstick is a classic, lovely lip shade. Before HD TV, old Hollywood actresses would wear it because it was bold enough to appear on camera. Before Crest White Strips, women used to wear red lipstick because the brightness contrasted the color of their teeth, making them appear whiter. It was the color of choice many of our grandmothers, and it still makes an elegant statement today.
Out with the old...Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cherries in the Snow
One of the first major color cosmetics brands, Revlon, was founded in 1931 by Charles Revson. The brand's core competency has always been lipsticks, and their famous shade is Cherries in the Snow, a deep/bright red. It's a very iconic Liz Taylor, Hita Hayworth type of shade that is still a best-seller today. However, the problem with many of Revlon's products including their Super Lustrous lipsticks is that they contain BHT.
And in the with the new...BITE Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Zivoli ($24 at Sephora)
These lipsticks provide the same rich color, beautiful satin finish, and hydration that the Revlon lipsticks have. However, the BITE Beauty lipsticks are natural and free of toxic ingredients. They are even loaded with the powerful antioxidant, resveratrol (from grapes). With 25 shades to choose from, Zivoli seems to be the one that's most similar to Cherries in the Snow.
The truth is many of these products have survived the years because they still do the trick. So, whether we like it our not, our makeup drawers probably look similar to those of our grandmothers and mothers....but hopefully with some new and improved products.
How many times do you find yourself torn between what feels good and what does good for your body? Well luckily, there are a few skin care rituals that do both:
1. Take a warm bath.
Not only will the warmth and aromatherapy relax your mind, but your skin will thank you too. All you have to do is soak in a lukewarm water...make sure it isn't too hot because hot water can strip your skin of good oils. Warm water will help lock in moisture while opening your pores. Don't forget to pour in some some bath salts like the Ahava Honey Herbal Bath Salt ($22 at Ulta). Bath salts can help detoxify by ridding your skin of impurities. I especially like the Ahava one because it is formulated with honey, herbs, and minerals from the dead sea to help condition and nourish the skin. You can also add some essential oils like the Dr. Hauschka Moor Lavender Bath Essence ($30 at Whole Body) to further boost hydration. In addition to the fact that is smells great, the Dr. Hauschka lavender oil has great calming and protective properties. Simply allow your skin to marinate in the bath for 15-20 minutes to get that long lasting fresh scent. Like a body wrap that you would get in a spa, a bath will leave your skin will feel soft, soothed, and purified...and not to mention that it helps soothe sore muscles...for barely a fraction of the cost. Just grab a good book or continue a round of Candy Crush for perfect ending to a stressful day!
2. Exfoliate.
Brighten up your complexion by shedding those dead skin cells. Use a gentle facial brush (move it in a circular motion) with your face cleanser or a gentle facial scrub to mechanically slough off residue as well as dead cells. Women of every age should exfoliate regularly. For young women, it will help tame acne by preventing particles on your face from clogging pores. For older women, it will polish your skin and leave you with a more youthful glow. Exfoliating also helps scars and dark spots fade more quickly. When you're done, you'll be left with fresh skin that feels super soft. You'll see the results as your makeup goes on more smoothly and your skincare absorbs more efficiently. The best part? The gentle scratching of the exfoliating beads or brush feels great too! Try the Caudalie Deep Cleansing Exfoliator ($35 at Sephora) for your face. It not only exfoliates and cleanses but it's also hydrating and packed with powerful grape-derived antioxidants. And don't forget about your body! The Pacifica Kona Coffee & Sugar Detox Whole Body Scrub ($28 at Ulta) is healthy, smoothing, and smells delicious.
3. Give your face a nice massage.
Each morning, give your skin a little one-minute wake-up massage. After sleeping, your face is tense, so it's a great way to loosen up the muscles in your face. Gently pat your face and tap your fingertips all over. Apply a little bit of pressure by pressing down on pressure points such as your temples and the sides of the bottom of your nose. You can also slide your fingers in upward motions (downward motions promote sagging) away from the center of your face along your bones. Do it when you're washing or moisturizing your face (when your face is lubricated) and avoid kneading or pulling to prevent wrinkles. Martha Stewart Living gives a great DIY face massage with visuals. By removing dead skin cells and stimulating circulation, your face will appear more radiant and feel energized.
4. Steam on a cold day... or spritz on a hot one.
We all know how good a facial steam feels...especially on a cold day. All you have to do is
microwave or boil some water so that it is steaming. Afterwards, hover over the steam and allow it to open your pores (a good opportunity to follow up with cleansing or extracting impurities) and add moisture to your skin. Alternatively, in the summers, I love to keep some Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray ($18 on drugstore.com) in my purse. It's a refreshing spray that helps calm and soften skin. Plus, it will cool you off on a hot day with a few spritzes. The nice thing about water sprays is that you can even use them over makeup.
For days when your complexion is looking particularly dull, gently pat a small amount of Mally Perfect Poreless Primer ($35 at Ulta) over your face before you apply the powder. I save it for certain occasions only because I don't like the fact that it contains bismuth oxychloride. But I must say that it's the only primer that I have stumbled across so far that looks okay over makeup. As a primer, it helps seal in moisture, smooth, and brighten. Mally herself claims that this is a good way to rid your face "mid-day crusties" and keep your complexion glowing.
