Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Tuesday Skincare 101 - What Skin Are You?

It's Tuesday Beauty Friends!!!  Tuesdays will be dedicated to skincare 101. Last night as I was getting caught up on my reality tv....I realized I'm almost out of ALL my skincare products....NOOOOOOOO!!! This calls for an emergency trip to the store or worst attempting to go to sleep with a full face of makeup...That's my pores worst nightmare AHHHHH!

Not to fear, I've already been planning to replenish my supplies with something new. Every now and then we all want to try out new skincare products.  The biggest problem is knowing what to buy.  To guarantee a successful shopping trip, always do your homework before making any major purchases. Yes, skincare products, I consider, a major purchase. There are important factors to consider when choosing the best products for your skin.

Allow me to share with you my cheat sheet.....

5 Important Things to Know About Skincare 


1. Know Your Type....it's not tall, dark and handsome; dark eyes and dark hair or 6-pack abs.  Your skin is one of a kind.  It's been with you since your days in the womb....so be mindful of your facial traits. If you go to any cosmetic store, most beauty consultants will ask you "What's your skin type?" or "What are some of your concerns or problems with your skin?" Your skin type is classified into one of four basic categories: normal, dry, combination and oily.  Your skin can be a combination of the 4 however, how it acts determines the best category to classify your skin type. For example, oily skin produces an over abundance of oil resulting in enlarge pores and frequent breakouts. Dry skin doesn't produce enough oil and can sometimes display redness and dry patches on the surface. Pay attention to how your skin behaves.

  • Do you suffer from frequent breakouts and oiliness throughout the spring/summer? 
  • Is your skin drier during the winter months? 
  • Do you get an oily buildup on certain areas of your face?



2. Do Your Homework....I can remember being a naive 20-something, browsing the counters of Macys, Nordstrom and other department stores. Two hours later I end up with $150 worth of products that are great only to realize much later there are notable dupes (dupe - a less expensive substitute that looks, feels and/or performs similar to it's more expensive counterpart).  What I've learned.....once you know what you need start window shopping for your ideal skin mates. There's nothing worst than going to a store, being overwhelmed by a counter salesperson trying to sell you a $100 in products when you may actually only need $40.   Let's face it, as much as I'd love to believe (even to this day) that each sales associate is my BFF; they ARE there to do a job...SELL SELL SELL! Remember - A smart and savvy shopper is the best shopper; you're loyal to those that treat you good and respect your opinion

3. Set Your Budget....Now you know you what your skin needs set a budget for what your willing to spend. You don't have to spend a fortune to get products that work.

4. You Are What You Eat....My name is .... and I have a weakness for sweetness....salt some days, etc.. etc.. we're all guilty of succumbing to our vices now and then. Unfortunately, too much indulgence leads to our skin being a tattle tale. In moderation is great, too much of a good thing can be a nightmare.  We each are different but excessive salt, sugar, alcohol, etc for anyone... can lead to such things as breakouts, dark circles, enlarged pores, the list goes on and on.  Take care of yourself by eating healthy, getting plenty of rest and exercise.

5. Consider Other Medical 411....It's always good to consult your doctor if you have any medical conditions that prevent you from using certain products.  All skincare products are not created equal. Some are all organic; others not so much.  Therefore ALWAYS consult with your doctor on what skincare products work best for you (specifically what ingredients are a no-no).

See how easy that way.  Yes I know, there are thousands among thousands of products to choose from.  How are you supposed to choose what works best for you? That's easy.....SAMPLES PLEASE...Cosmetic manufacturers are well aware that you (the consumer) have thousands of products to choose from.  In order to get you on board, many manufacturers offer introductory sets (Try before you buy and fully commit).  The cost is fairly inexpensive and you get a 14-30 day supply of skincare products.  Note: For heavy-handed, over anxious beauty lovers such as myself, that plentiful 14-30 day supply might be more like: 10-day toner, 8-day cleanser, etc. etc. What can I say, I love to lather it up!!!

That's all for my Tuesday Skincare 101. Stay tuned for next week's installment....Ang's Top 10 Skincare Products!!!  Happy Shopping!!

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