Beauty: The basics of Skincare, Makeup, and Tools – Part 1

Hello all! Cherish here. I'll probably do an #introducemyself later on, but I just wanted to get this blog going.

I like to call myself a makeup/beauty enthusiast, and I like being able to help others achieve that perfect glow and sharp contour that has been made popular all over the internet. I’ve decided to write this blog to help others who are possibly new to makeup, or those who are already quite advanced but want to know more about products, techniques and trends. Also to bring some #beauty and #girlpower to Steemit. However, I also think it’s totally cool if men want to take part in the beauty culture, more power to you guys. #boypower We can all slay at our selfie game together.

First off, I would like to clarify that I do not see makeup as a necessity. Makeup is there to enhance the beauty you already have. It is there to empower you. To help express who you are. You don’t need makeup to be beautiful. Yes, makeup can help boost your confidence, but being bare face is just as empowering.

So lets start!
But where do we start?

Before we can get to the perfect winged liner or the perfect highlight we need to talk about our skin. After all, skin is the largest and fastest-growing organ of the body. You need to show your skin some love and attention.

Let us start with basic skincare.

There are 5 basic skin types, and it’s important to know so that you can make good decisions when it comes to skin care and makeup. A lot of creams, cleansers, foundation, etc., are formulated for certain skin types, and if you choose wrong, it could cause a breakout and make your skin problems worse. Your initial “type” of skin is genetically determined, however your skin also depends on your health, diet and age.

5 Basic Skin Types.

1. Normal skin (The blessed people)

This skin is the least problematic. Little to no imperfections, small pores, and even with little care, skin still looks healthy and vibrant.

1. Dry Skin

Skin looks dry and patchy, sometimes flakey. Skin can easily “crack” and peel or easily become irritated. Often accompanied by red patches, and a rough complexion.

1. Oily Skin

This skin type is usually the most problematic. Tends to break into acne quite often, has visible pores/blackheads. Usually tends to look greasy and shiny.

1. Combination skin

You have patches of normal/dry/oily skin all over. This is the most common skin type.

1. Sensitive skin

This skin is easily irritated and becomes inflamed. Can easily breakout, have red patches, and experience itching or a burning sensation.
Once you figure out what skin type you have, taking care of your skin becomes easier. Because now you know what your skin needs, and you can act accordingly to get that skin glowing. Of course this might take a while if you’ve never really paid attention to your skin before. So take your time, get close and personal.

Basic Skincare and Essentials

Priority 1.

WATERRR. Make sure you stay hydrated. Your skin will love you, your body will love you. Make sure you drink your water. Juices do not count – too high in sugars. Alcohol, NO. Soda, NO.

If you do not really like the way water tastes, it’s just too bland for you. Infuse some fruit into your water. Lemon water. Mint water. Strawberry water. Watermelon water. Choices are endless! And it’s delicious and refreshing.

Diet/Health

It is true. You are what you eat. If you want that radiant glow you need to make sure your diet is full and plentiful. Vegetables, fruits, amino acids, antioxidants! All the good stuff. Don’t sweat this too hard though. As long as you have a healthy balanced diet, you’re good to go. You can keep the cake and chips as long as it’s in moderation.

Priority 2.

Cleanser.

Find a gentle, water soluble face wash that is suitable for your skin type. This may be a bit of trial and error situation since everyone is different. Rinsing your face with just water or normal hand soap isn’t enough. Your face needs that special care. A good cleanser will leave your skin smooth and soft, while removing excess oils, debris and makeup.

A good way to fight acne is to prevent acne. Everyone recommends that you wash your face twice every day, once in the morning and once at night, but sometimes you don’t have that much time. So I suggest that you always wash your face before you sleep! It gets rid of the day’s accumulated debris and oil on your skin and allows your skin to regenerate and breathe easier while you sleep.

If you have problematic skin, I suggest you read the ingredients and make sure the cleanser contains acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, sodium sulfacetamide or benzoyl peroxide, these ingredients are already included in a lot of well-known skin care brands. But of course, always talk to a certified doctor, or dermatologist if you have any questions or concerns.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating is important! It removes dead skin cells which allow your skin to breathe easier and regenerate faster. It also leaves your skin super soft and smooth. However, you do not want to irritate or leave your skin feeling raw. I recommend only exfoliating 2-3 times in a week. Most of the time you can buy quality face washes that come with exfoliating beads. Or you can pair the cleanser with an exfoliating sponge.

Priority 3

Moisturizer/Sunscreen

Happy skin, is beautiful skin. Skin likes being moisturized and protected. Finding a suitable cream for your skin type can do wonders. Sunscreen with an SPF of 25 or higher can effectively shield your skin from sun damage. Protecting your skin with a quality sunscreen can prevent and slow down the development of wrinkles and brown spots.

I highly recommend people who suffer from dry skin to invest in a quality cream to help transform their skin. With a good moisturizer, skin will become visibly healthier and hydrated.

Even though it may seem a bit counter-intuitive, people with oily skin can benefit from a quality cream as well. It’s all about finding the product that works for you. Most of the time you can find sunscreens that also act as moisturizers, or you can have 2 separate creams, one for moisture and the other for sun protection. It’s completely up to you.

Priority 4.

BE HAPPY. Enjoy life. Your skin is a window to your health and emotional health. Your skin reflects what you’re feeling, what your body feels. Take time to ensure you’re feeling your best before you look your best.

Once you find the products that work for you, and you’ve found a routine you like, you’re on your way to healthy, beautiful skin.

This is only the basics of skincare. It can get a lot more advanced. Anti-aging creams and oils, face masks, serums, spot treatments, toners, etc. You can go as far as you want, have fun with it. No one way is right.

Thank you for reading.

-Cherish the moment