Makeup Files

Goal: Have glowing, radiant, smooth skin.

Day 5 of the 10 Days to Ultimate Beauty is all about your outer layer of beauty.

You can put on all the makeup you want, but if you don’t have nice skin underneath, it won’t matter. To be as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside, you need to work on your skin.

Having good skin also makes you look better without makeup, which is always a plus.

Developing a Skin Care Routine

Your daily skin routine consists of two parts: Morning and Night. Although each routine is similar, there are some differences. Here is a general routine for each time of day with the kinds of products you’d use for each:

Morning

1. Wash your face with cleanser. Look for gentle cleansers that address your facial concerns. There are products for dry skin, oily skin, pore minimization and anything else you can thing of.
2. Put on light moisturizer with SPF. You’ll need the extra skin protection throughout the day. Depending on your skin type, your morning moisturizer should be just thick enough to add a layer of moisture. Try not to go much thicker as it will effect how your makeup is applied and could make you look greasy.

Night

1. Use makeup remover to get rid of your shadow, mascara and other beauty products. Pick makeup remover without alcohol, especially if you have dry skin. (Pick up some cotton squares/balls to help remove makeup with this product.)
2. Wash your face with cleanser. You can use the same product that you used in the morning.
3. Use a heavy moisturizer. Since you’ll be going straight to bed, your skin can handle a thicker moisturizer than in the morning. When you wake up, your skin will be quenched and soft.

For your body, look for an all over body lotion that smells great and that smoothes out the dryer patches of skin at your elbows, knees and ankles. Apply this whenever you want, although it’s easiest after you shower and towel off.

Assignment Day 5: Purchase the four essential products listed above: cleanser, day moisturizer, night moisturizer and makeup remover. Develop your skin care routine and follow it every day, morning and night. After a few weeks, you’ll notice that your skin is softer and brighter. You may even notice a reduction in wrinkles or dark circles.

Extra Credit: In the main part of the assignment, you get the skin care basics. If you’re up for the challenge, get some of the extras. If you have oily skin and huge pores, pick up astringent and apply it after cleanser and before lotion. If you have acne problems, try a few different acne treatments until you find the one that clears up your skin best. Afraid of aging? Pick up the anti-aging versions of your morning and nighttime moisturizers.

How’s your daily skin care routine? Do you follow it religiously? Do you ever fall asleep with your makeup on? Tell me in the comments!