A lot of women complain about their makeup not delivering its promise after spending hundreds of dollars on products. Sometimes the problem could be as simple as starting with a fresh face and that’s where a few essential products play an important role.
Here are some essential items every woman should purchase and employ before applying makeup:
Facial Cleanser/Exfoliator
Unfortunately, a lot of women skip cleansing and exfoliating. Using a facial cleanser is a crucial step in your daily skincare regimen because it removes dirt, bacteria, sweat, air pollution, excess oil and makeup from your skin.
Exfoliating is important because it removes dead skin cells making your skin appear brighter. Be sure to use a cleanser twice a day. Exfoliate your skin once a week.
My pick: Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash — $24 (a two-in-one cleanser and exfoliator)
*Note: *This face wash provides gentle exfoliation, so it’s OK to use twice a day.
*Moisturizer *
Everyone should be using a moisturizer regardless of your age or skin type. Pick a moisturizer that contains as few chemicals and fragrances as possible. Also, look for a moisturizer with sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays. If you have oily skin, try a moisturizer that has a water-based formula (oil free). Those with dry skin should try a moisturizer with natural oils such as almond, jojoba or avocado. The best time to apply moisturizer is one or two minutes after washing your face to help your skin absorb the moisture.
My pick: Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer Combination-Oily/Normal/Sensitive Skin-about $10
Night Cream
While the skin loses more moisture at night, its ability to absorb moisture increases. That’s why it’s important to use a night cream. Wearing a day-time moisturizer at night could lead to clogged pores.
No matter your skin type, look for a night cream that is lightweight, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free. You’ll need to choose a night cream that best suits your age. If you’re in your 20s, try a night cream that contains natural ingredients such as honey, aloe vera and chamomile.
If you’re in your 30s and 40s, try a night cream with anti-aging ingredients such as retinol, collagen, amino acids, peptides, ceremides and tea extracts.
My pick: Olay Definity Night Restorative Sleep Cream – approximately $25
Eye Cream
You’ve probably heard many beauty experts recommend adding an eye cream to your daily routine but wondered if this step really necessary. The answer is yes. The skin surrounding the eye is much too delicate for regular moisturizer and more prone to wrinkles and dryness. As we age, the collagen in our skin diminishes especially around the eye area. Using an eye cream can help prevent these problems.
My pick: RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream — about $20
Primer
I cannot stress enough the importance of using a primer before applying your makeup. Think of it this way: Before you paint a wall, you must use primer or else the paint will not glide on smoothly. The same analogy applies to your face. Using a primer fills in fine lines and wrinkles, minimizes redness and pores and creates a barrier between your skin and makeup, which prevents your makeup from disappearing throughout the day.
Also, apply primer to prevent your eyeshadow from creasing and your lipstick from feathering, a term used to describe when your lipstick settles into the creases of your lips.
*My picks: *Bare Escentuals bareVitamins Prime Time — $22 (face), MAC Prep Prime Lip —$15 and MAC Prep Prime Eye — $17
