Standing tall, being confident,
and believing in yourself are all essential components of feeling your best.
But, as any woman who has ever stood in front of a mirror knows, beauty secrets
are also important!
While our appearance is only one
aspect of who we are, it is still a part of who we are. And knowing that you
look your best can boost your self-esteem.
It doesn't have to be difficult or
expensive to look your best. Most of us only need to pay attention to a few
basic beauty secrets, according to experts, which are essentials that can help
you look and feel great without spending a lot of time or money.
To help you find the best beauty
advice, healthlifekit spoke with top skincare and beauty experts, who shared
their personal beauty secrets:
The Beauty Tip 1: Under no circumstances underrate
the Power of Moisturizer
If you can only afford one skincare product, whether your skin is dry, normal, or oily, experts recommend investing
in a good moisturizer.
"Sometimes, all you need is a
good moisturizer and a mild cleanser, and you can take years off your
face," says Rhoda Narins, MD, president of the American Society of
Dermatologic Surgery and professor at New York University. When skin is dry,
every wrinkle is accentuated, making you appear older, according to Narins.
Moisturizers will provide some of
the protection you need to keep skin from prematurely aging if you're in your
20s or 30s, according to doctors.
"A good moisturizer can take
the place of a lot of products in your 20s and early 30s," says Park
Avenue plastic surgeon Darrick Antell, MD.
So, what makes a moisturizer
"good"? "It's a product that will do anything from gently adding
moisture, to sealing in the moisture you've achieved, to helping your skin
produce more moisture — and which type you choose should be based on your
skin's individual needs," says dermatologist Charles E. Crutchfield III,
MD.
Look for moisturizers that contain
alpha-hydroxy acids if your skin is normal to dry. Crutchfield, an associate
clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical
School, claims that they can help skin produce more moisture on its own.
He also recommends products that
use a technology called vesicular emulsion if your skin is extremely dry.
"This technology employs
microscopic spheres that alternate layers of moisture and water that slowly
release throughout the day, providing continuous moisturization,"
Crutchfield explains.
Look for a light, gentle
moisturizer if your skin is oily, but don't skip this step, Crutchfield
advises.
"Oil is not moisture,"
he explains, "and even if you have a lot of oil, you still need
moisture."
The Beauty Tip 2: Sunscreen Is Your Superlative Antiaging Product.
Put on sunscreen before you go to
the plastic surgeon before you spend half your paycheck on that pricey
anti-aging cream before you do anything.
While most of us are aware that it
lowers the risk of skin cancer, did you know it's also a fantastic beauty
secret for keeping skin looking young?
The reason for this, according to
experts, is that when sunscreen protects against the sun's harmful rays, it
also protects against their aging effects.
You'll notice more wrinkles, fine
lines, freckles, age spots, and spider veins, in addition to more wrinkles and
fine lines. Because of the sun, skin can appear rough and leathery or loose and
saggy.
Even if you do spend time outside,
sunscreen can protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays, making your face less
likely to reveal your age.
Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of
15 or higher, according to Crutchfield. If you're going to be in direct
sunlight for an extended period of time, reapply every hour or two to maintain
its effectiveness.
Another option is to apply regular
sunscreen prior to applying makeup (it should go on first, before anything).
Then, for touch-ups throughout the day, use a light, translucent mineral powder
to add extra protection.
"Collagen production in the
skin is influenced by the sun, and without collagen, the skin will not naturally
maintain that plump, moist, youthful, wrinkle-free appearance," says
Antell. He claims that if you get enough sun, your skin will wrinkle far before
its time.
According to the American Academy
of Dermatology, even a few minutes of daily sun exposure without sunscreen can
cause noticeable changes in how the skin looks and feels over time.
"These powders contain a
natural sunscreen, and because they don't build up on the skin, you can keep
applying it throughout the day," Crutchfield says.
The Beauty Tip 3: Choosing Your Cleanser Wisely
You might want to reconsider your
cleansing strategy if you're a "soap and water" girl (or guy). One of
the best beauty tips available, according to dermatologists, is to use the
gentlest cleanser you can find - and to use it sparingly.
"While it may be tempting to
wash your face several times a day (or more if your skin is oily), not only
will over-cleansing not help you, but you could be harming your skin if you're
using a harsh product — particularly soap," says Crutchfield.
If you wash your face too
frequently (more than twice a day), you risk damaging the natural lipid
barrier, the lubricating barrier that keeps skin looking and feeling healthy.
Crutchfield explains, "Once
that protection is lost, and the integrity of the skin barrier is disrupted,
skin becomes dry, which means it can crack, peel, itch, burn, sting, or any
combination of these symptoms." It also implies that you can appear to be
older than your years.
The solution: Wash your face no
more than twice a day and use a gentle cleanser.
The Beauty Tip 4: Use the Correct Equipment for
the Job
You can have the best eyeshadow
money can buy, the most luxurious foundation on the planet, and a bronzer
straight from a supermodel's cosmetic bag. However, if you don't have the right
tools to put them to use, you'll miss out on the benefits.
What are the
"appropriate" tools? Brushes should be soft and gentle on the skin but have enough substance to move the product to the skin's surface. Experts
say that if you dip a brush in shadow or blush and the color falls off before
you get it on your face, it's a bad brush.
Beauty Tip 5: Hair and make-up should be
updated every two years.
Run, run, RUN to the nearest
beauty salon if you walk into your high school reunion and hear a chorus of
"You haven't changed a bit!"
According to experts, if you can't
recall the last time you changed your hair or makeup, you're way past due.
According to Beverly Hills hair
expert and QVC personality Nick Chavez, "your image, including hair and
makeup, should be updated at least every two years - and sooner if the styles
change dramatically."
According to Chavez, keeping your
appearance current makes you appear younger and more modern. "Nothing ages
a woman like out-of-date hair and makeup," Chavez says.
If it's been a while since you've
changed your look, go to your favorite department or beauty store's makeup
counters, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Makeup artists sell the majority
of the better lines, and they can quickly catch you up.
Wow so lovely
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