When I was 12 I started “stealing” my mothers make-up to wear to school everyday. I got up early every morning to do my hair and makeup. I wanted to be just like all the other girls in learning to be grown up. Inevitably, the foundation was the wrong shade (too dark) and type ( oil based instead of water based) for my oily skin. There was no such thing as mineral makeup in the early 1980’s. Luckily for me my mother noticed my quandary and took me to my first make-up party. I learned to right type of foundation to use and how to use it. I learned how to use properly eye-shadow, blush, lipstick, and that oh so scary mascara. That was the beginning, even if I didn’t know it then, of my chosen profession. Those days have long gone by along with the same skincare routines. As we grow up, ie; age, our skin changes and the way we take care of it should change too.

Here are a few lessons that I would like to pass along to you.

Looking for perfect balance?

Do Not scrub your face until it is squeaky clean. Using rough, harsh cleansers can strip the skin of its natural oils. It can create an unbalance within the skin by where the oil glands will produce more oil for your “dry” skin.

Do not over moisturize. Too much moisturizer throughout the day can also cause an unbalance. Your skin will not create it’s own oil if senses too much moisture which will make your skin even more dry.

DO!!! Sun screen! Sun screen! Sun screen! Your skin is screaming for it year round. Ok, so it’s mid-January and you are not by the pool. But you are in the car, running errands, taking walks on sunny days, etc. Or cloudy, just because it’s not sunny doesn’t mean the suns not up and shining. Sun damage can happen anytime and the effects of that damage are premature wrinkles, dry skin and age spots (brown spots).

Is your foundation bringing you down, instead of building you up? Wearing a foundation that is too dark will look orange and age you. Wearing too light a foundation can make you look sickly. Match your skin tone exactly for an even, up lifting look.

Don’t smoke. Besides what it does to your lungs and overall health, smoking causes dry skin, blood vessel constriction and wrinkles. Avoid extremes. Extreme heat or cold causes rupturing of the small capillaries under the surface of the skin. Over indulgence of alcohol dehydrates the body, damages the blood and the eternal organs. When the liver is toxic it effects the skin. Skin becomes dry, sallow, and red due to blood vessel dilation. Also pores on the nose and cheeks become enlarged.

Sleep. Getting the right amount of sleep rejuvenates your mind but also releases toxins and renews all body tissue. Getting your beauty sleep isn’t just an expression.

 

Water, water everywhere. Get enough water to maintain moisture in the skin and body.

Wear sunglasses year round. Sunglasses keep you from squinting which creates wrinkles.
Smile. Frowning and negative expressions cause wrinkles too.

Ring around the mouth. Dark or black lip liner is not sexy. Unless your are Pam Anderson you can not get away with it. Don’t even try it. Dark liner highlights small lines around the mouth instead of making lips look pouty. Lip liner should be the same color or blend with your lipstick.

Brow attention. Look more polished with clean well defined brows. Splurge and see a professions. Shaving or plucking out all of your eyebrows is not recommended. You are not Whoopi Goldberg. But neither are you the Unibrow bag boy at the grocery mart. Eyebrows frame your face. Get the right frame.

High school hair. You can not wear your hair to the office in the same way you wore it to high school. Times they are a changing’. Move with it. Change your hair style often. See a professional. She or he will be able to fit your hair to your face shape and your every changing lifestyle.

Nail biter. Take care of your hands and nails. They are often the second thing someone notices about you. Well manicured nails say “I am conscientious about the details.” Even if your not the pretty in pink type, file your nails into a clean shape and buff for a healthy look.

Hair color. Most gals love to change the color of their hair with the change of the seasons whether it be understated or over-the-top. Adding a subtle change or just covering graying roots can be done at home if you have the chutzpah. Over-the-top, see someone who knows what dramatic change is all about. A professional colorist will be up on the latest trends and has the know how to go dark brown to light blond with no orange in between. Seeing a pro will cut down the embarrassment of going out in public with green hair plus the added bonus of the money you will save on color correction. The cost of correcting your home color could easily cost you twice the amount of a color service. Not to mention the damage you can save your hair.

Flash Forward. Long gone are the days of hour long morning routines but I still get up early every morning to do my hair and makeup. If only to have time to search for my lipstick, eyeliner and mascara in my daughter’s room.