1. CLEANSING
Women who wear makeup - see Uma Thurman - should carry out a routine of cleansing, toning and moisturing turn back the clock each evening, as well as washing the face in the morning. 5 Minute Makeover Cleansing will remove old make-up and the grime and grease that have been accumulated during the day.
* Remove mascara Lashes Unlimited with a cotton bud dipped in eye-dipped in eye-cleansing lotion. To make the job easier keep your hair off your face.
* Remove the eyeshadow - Artistic Palletes - by gently wiping it off with a pad of clean cotton wool moistened with eye-cleansing lotion.
* Pour a little face cleansing cream into the palm of one hand and dab it generously over the nose, chin, forehead and cheeks --- using two fingers of the other hand.
* Massage the cream into the skin, starting under the throat, using a gentle upward motion.
* Continue massaging the cream up to the forehead, using the fingertips.
* Gently massage the cream from the eyes to the nose.
* Massage cream back over the chin, which is particularly prone to blackheads. Use the index finger.
* Remove the cream from the face with tissue pads in each hand. Start under the chin and work over the cheeks and on to the forehead
2. TONING
Toners remove all traces of dirt, make-up or cleanser that remain after cleansing.
* Immediately after cleansing apply toner to the forehead and cheeks on a pad of corron wool
* Apply the toner to the crevices around the nose.
* Apply the toner to the crevices around the chin.
3. MOISTURIZING
Without moisture, the skin will not remain smooth and supple. The face is exposed to the drying effect of the weather, so moisturisers -- which form a film over the skin -- contain and augment the natural moisture.
* Using the tips ofthe fingers, dot moisturising cream lightly all over the face.
* Press the fingers of both hands into the centre of the forehead and work the cream slowly outwards. Pat the cream gentlyaround the eyes.
* Work the cream around the jawline, chin and mouth with the middle fingers of both hands.
* Massage the cream over the throat with alternating hands, using upward strokes from collar-bone to chin
Sun block is an important beauty product that many women of color forget to use. Although our skin is darker, skin cancer can hurt us just as much as our lighter-skinned sisters. In fact, some skin conditions only affect darker skinned women.
Melasma is a skin condition that causes dark spots to show around the face and body, predominantly on the forehead, cheeks, chin, and upper lip. Caused by an imbalance of hormones due to pregnancy, birth control, hormone-related treatments, or genetics, the dark spots are worsened with exposure to sunlight. There are treatments for melasma. A topical cream, Tri-Luma, is the only FDA approved treatment for moderate to severe melasma. Chemical peels are also effective.
About 6 million women suffer from melasma but only 2.6%, about 156,000 women, seek help. 80% of melasma cases are found in darker skinned people i.e. black, latina, Asian, and even Italian and Jewish women. If you or someone you know may have melasma, be sure to get it checked out by a dermatologist.
Melasma or not, it is important to protect your skin. Apply broad spectrum sunscreen (protects both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of at least 30 all over, including your face. Try Ocean Potion Face 45, L’Oreal or Aveeno products for non greasy/sticky face sun block. Whatever lotion you use, make sure it’s hypoallergenic and fragrance free so it can be used under your eyes, where your skin is thinnest and shows age quicker. Wear sunscreen every day. Just because it’s raining, or the middle of November doesn’t mean the sun’s rays don’t damage you. Reapply once every 2 hours. This may seem excessive but you’ll thank your lucky stars when you’re 50 and your skin doesn’t look like a leather handbag. Don’t forget your hairline or ears which are often neglected. Schedule yearly check ups at your dermatologist. Your skin is your largest organ. It’s also the most visible. Make sure you take care of it.
