1. Know your skin type. This is key to finding the right products that will work most effectively with your skin. Typically your skin gets drier as you age. What is considered "normal" skin is actually normal to oily - in the morning after cleansing and make up application, there is no shine on the face but usually later in the afternoon a slight shine will appear on the "T-zone" area (center of the forehead, tip of the nose and chin, and cheeks). If you hardly ever see a shine on your face, and it feels very tight then most likely you have dry skin. On the contrary, if your face seems to be shiny all over and feels slick to the touch - you have oily skin.
2. For problematic skin, see a Dermatologist. If you have blemishes and/or acne, it is important to seek the guidance of a professional who can prescribe proper medication to clear your skin up. Self-diagnosis could lead to the wrong diagnosis which in turn could lead to the wrong products which would make your skin worse. Case in point: I thought I had acne and it turned out to be Rosacea. I used oil-control and acne products on my face and made the problem much worse which resulted in a pepperoni special. Please note that some medications may change your skin type temporarily and you may have to alter your normal regimine while on the meds.
3. Based on the above, create a basic skin care routine. A typical skin care routine consists of exfoliating, masking, cleansing, toning and moisturizing. It depends on your skin type and what works for you personally. It is common to exfoliate and mask once a week, and it is recommended by most professionals to cleanse, tone and moisturize once in the morning and once before bed daily.
4. Experiment with foundations. It's amazing the difference a good foundation can make. A foundation too light can make you look pasty and sick, and a foundation too dark can make you look older than your years. Ideally, you want a foundation which seems to disappear on your skin, making it look brighter and youthful. For dry skin, a rich, moisturized foundation is best. For normal to oily skin, a lightweight and moisturizing foundation combined with a loose powder is recommended. For really oily skin, powder foundation is the way to go. The color should be slightly lighter than your natural skin tone - brightening your face and evening out texture. Definitely visit a department store and ask for samples before making a selection.
5. Get your beauty sleep and stay hydrated. This is key. Okay, when you are young - say a teenager or in your twenties - you can get away with blowing off sleep but after you turn thirty you really need to get rest (6-8 hours per night is ideal.) Second, stay hydrated - water, not wine or vodka, works best. ;-)
So there have you it. 5 basic tips for bare beauty.
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