BEAT THE HEAT!!

Beating the heat and humidity can be tough espeically when it comes to ensuring your makeup lasts throughout the day. Here are a few tips to help maintain your "Pretty Face" during the summer months:

1. Cleanse your face daily using a mild facial cleanser. It is important to exfoliate at least once a week to remove dry, dull skin. I personally use St. Ives Apricot Scrub, I'm in love with it.  For people with normal to oily skin I recommend you use a pore refiner or reducer to help reduce excess oils in the t-zone area. The pore refiner/reducer can be found at your local drug store for under $10. The pore refiner/reducer helps give you a more smooth, refined complexion. For people with dry skin, I recommend cleansing with Aveeno's Moisturizer Bar, which can be found at your local drug store for under $5. For all skin types moisturizing is very important, it helps proctect your face from the harsh elements. For the summer, I use a light weight moisturizer with SPF 15 to help protect my face from the elements as well as to prevent sunburn.

2. Wearing heavy makeup in the heat and humidity can be very uncomfortable. I would avoid wearing cream and liquid foundations because the outdoor heat and high body temperatures can cause your makeup to melt. If you prefer wearing cream and liquid foundations, I would apply it very lightly. Another option is to wear a pressed powder. This provides a more lightweight feel with medium coverage. Also, try using a pencil concealer instead of the regular cream or stick. This might not provide you with as much coverage as a liquid or cream, but it will ensure that your makeup lasts throughout the day. I always finish up my look with Fix Plus aka Fix + by MAC.

**A FRIENDLY SKINCARE TIP** Bacteria and heat go hand in hand...try to avoid touching your face with your hands because your hands harbor soooo much bacteria. Also, keep your cell phone screen and surface clean. I'm constantly wiping my screen because after I use my phone it has makeup residue and natural oils from my face. Keeping your face clean can help prevent problem breakouts.

***DISCLAIMER*** I am not affliated nor am I being compensated by any company, product or brand mentioned in this blog. This is my personal opinion, facts I have gathered from my knowledge and research as a makeup artist. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at myprettyfacemua@gmail.com***

First Things First

Let's talk about the fundamentals of skin. As most of us know, everyone has a different skin type therefore everyone should have a different skin care regimen. Let's break it down...

Normal Skin

Normally people with this skin type has a smooth even texture. They may experience the occasional shine on the forehead, nose or chin area, but it's definitely nothing to be worried about. When it comes to caring for normal skin, it's pretty simple. Cleanse daily (I recommend twice) using a foaming cleanser.  Also, exfoliating twice a week is good for removing dead skin cells, it adds that extra natural glow to your skin. Then lastly, moisturize. This is a VERY important step. A light weight mositurizer works well for normal skin.

Dry Skin

I suffer from very dry skin. A sign of dry skin is tightness of the face after washing, flaking, dry and/or rough patches. There may even be some sensitivity. Caring for dry skin is a little more intense (for lack of a better word). A rich cleanser should be used. A light weight mositurizer is good during the day, but I recommend a night cream for bedtime. Jergens has a good all purpose face moisturizer. I recommend exfoliating once a week instead of twice to avoid skin irritation. Products with alpha hydroxy acids are good for dry skin, they also help remove dry, dead skin.

Oily Skin

A sign of oily skin is frequent breakouts. Oily skin should be cleansed twice daily using an oil free cleanser, it helps to prevent dirt accumulation and it won't clog pores. Also use an alcohol free astringent  to remove excess oil and a oil free moisturizer.

Combination Skin

This skin type consist of an oily t-zone with dry spots on the cheek areas. Cleanse with a mild cleanser and use a dense moisturizer preferably with alpha hydroxy acids to help target the dry spots.

Sensitive Skin

This skin type can range from dry to oily. It can be itchy and blotchy and it is very easily irritated by makeup, cleansers, moisturizers, etc. To care for sensitive skin cleanse with a mild perfume free cleanser, a alcohol free toner for the blotchiness and a moisturizer developed specifically for sensitive skin.

I recommend Wal-Mart, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens or any local drug store in your area for your skin care products. These items are very inexpensive and come in several different brands. You don't have to spend alot to have healthy skin.