Here is Part 2 of my most recent post. If you haven't seen the first one already, click
here.
1. Concealer
This one has to be chosen carefully, as it has to mimic your skin tone.
Choose the oil-free kind. Use it under the eyes to hide bags, and also on
inflamed areas or spots. Apply onto clean skin with a clean cotton bud (or
brush), and only on the area that needs it. If you create a big circle around a
spot, you’ll only draw more attention to it.
2. SOS Spot Buster
In the case of a sudden emergency, this will always help you out. Try a
few different brands and see which one suits you most. Test both gels and
roll-ons. Apply directly onto the spot and leave it there. After a few hours
the spot should shrink and start to dry up. You can use it a few times a day,
but be careful – if you use it too much, your skin will get used to it and it
won’t work anymore. In that case, try a different one for a while, and then
come back to it.
3. Cleanser (and/or toner)
It is really, really important to remove makeup before going to bed, and
to cleanse the skin thoroughly. Soap isn’t very good for the skin, as it makes
it very dry, and makes it produce more sebum, which is the oil that makes your
skin shiny. That’s why you need a good cleanser. It removes the build-up of
dirt, grease and makeup, and mattes the skin. It can also help prevent acne.
Choose alcohol-free cleansers, as alcohol can really irritate your skin (and make
your eyes water). Toners are not necessary, but if you want to use one, it is
better to buy one from the same series as your cleanser, as they will work
together. You can try a toner which mattes the skin, or one that prevents
blackheads, blemishes etc.
These are different for everyone, as everyone has a different skin type (read my last post for more on skin types), so you just have to find the best one that suits you.
Here's some links to get you started:
4. Body lotion/butter
To keep your body soft and silky to the touch, moisturise it every day
after showering. There are lots of sweet-smelling body lotions out there. Try
exotic smells such as mango and papaya, coconut, or cocoa butter. You will
smell gorgeous all day long, while also keeping your skin hydrated.
The Body Shop has a wide range of sweet-smelling body butters and lotions, plus the products are organic. You could try one of those!
5. Exfoliator
To remove dead skin cells and encourage the skin to make new ones, it is
good to exfoliate it about once or twice a week. For the delicate areas of the
face, use a special face exfoliator, which will stop your skin from flaking and
help keep it smooth. These sometimes come as a 3-in-1, a cleansing gel,
exfoliator and face mask. For the rest of your body, use a regular exfoliator.
Refreshing scents include tangy lemon, sweet raspberry and healing aloe vera.
Or you can always make your own one by mixing a glass of water, a glass of sugar, and the juice of half a lemon (a natural antioxidant). Heat them up and mix, then cool. When the mixture is cool, use it like a normal exfoliator – just wash your face, and then apply the mixture, rubbing it into your face. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel. Do this about twice a week.
Now go out and buy your essentials!
