Ssshhhhhhhh Its A Secret!!

So the secret to flawless make up base is actually very simple - good skin! The best way to do this is cleanse, tone and moisturise and yet it is actually something that most of us don't do.

Taking care of your skin is so super important not only for make-up application but also for anti ageing & blemish free skin – so you look and feel good in your own skin but mostly so you feel confident in taking those no make-up selfies (hehehehe)

It’s funny, because most people assume people who look good, are genetically blessed with some beauty super magic genes that most of us can only dream of having or need buckets loads of money to look that impeccably good, but the truth is I found there’s no such thing! We are all blessed in different shapes and sizes & we are all beautiful in our own different ways, but I truly believe, if you take good care of yourself by eating & drinking the right things, you will look better than a person that gifted naturally with flawless skin but not take care of themselves – So if you don’t look after yourself then you can’t expect to look like some super hot chick that does.

To be able to understand cleaning, toning and moisturising products we first must understand  the three 3 main skin types

Oliy : Shinney, which has Papules (raised area of skin) & Pustules (raised pusy skin) also serve oily skin can also have Vitalligo (white area of skin discolouration more common with warmer skin tones) & Condones (black heads)

Dry : Dehydrated flaky skin and sometimes can have has papules (raised area of skin) can be cracked, scaly and sometimes itchy.

Combination: parts of your face are dry or flaky, while the centre part of your face-nose, chin, and forehead (called the T-zone) is oily. Combination skin can also describe conditions where wrinkles and breakouts or roseachea and dry skin are present at the same time.

You must must must at least once a day cleanse, tone & moisturise your skin, cleaning out dirt from your pours & dermis, tone too clear out your epi-dermis & to close any open pours to ensure there kept clear & lastly moisturise to keep you skin soft & subtle & help keeping your skin well hydrated. 

Cleanse, The type of cleanser that you use is based upon your skin type and how you prefer to clean your skin. We should keep in mind that dry and balanced skin will benefit from greasy cleansing creams and products which are low or alcohol free would be the best to help the skin not to dry out. Oily and combination skin types should try cleansers that are alcohol-based that help balance the excess oil in the skin.

Tone, are mainly Alcohol based, As one of the main ingredients of a toner and has a drying effect so those with dry skin should only use mild toners that contain very low levels or no alcohol at all. The same goes for balanced skin types. If your skin type is combination then you can use either a mild or strong toner (try a few to see what works best for you). Just stick to using it only along your T-zone where the skin is greasy. Stronger toners that contain high levels of alcohol should be used by those with greasy skin, this helps to control the excess oils your skin releases.

Moisturise, A good moisturiser will protect your skin from the rigours of the day, UV light and provide nourishment at night. The purpose of a moisturiser is to prevent your skin from losing moisture, rehydrate your skin if it has lost moisture and to plump out the dead skin cells that sit on the surface of your skin. For those reasons alone it’s important that ALL skin types use a moisturiser, If you have a dry skin type, rich moisturisers that contain water and grease will help to combat the dryness. Those with balanced skin can also benefit from the hydration of a rich moisturiser, or use a lighter moisturiser if they prefer. Anyone with greasy or combination skin should stick to a lighter, grease-free moisturiser to avoid causing issues with the skin. Always aim to use a moisturiser with Vitamin D as this helps with keeping good healthy skin & glowing skin.

So this is my regime including products I use......

Cleanse: Apply using light pressure movements towards the lymphatic system around the face to encourage all waste from the skin to excrete (through the nose and ears) remove residue from the cleanser with damp cotton wool, you should cleanse a minimum of two times, once to remove all debris's from the top of the skin (epidermis) and the second to remove any underlining debris's from the epidermis layers. I use Neal’s Yard Nourishing Orange Flower Facial Polish helps to restore my skin’s natural radiance for a healthy looking glow, it does this by removing dead skin cells & debris's from the dermis. It contains wild rose seed and shea nut shell powders to help scrub away all the nasties from my skin, it also contains nourishing neroli, jojoba & honey which is a rich source for moisturiser at the same time. So everything thats natural and good for your skin! it leaves my skin so soft with a radiant complexion and smells absolute divine I cant help but recommend!!! GBP14.80 from Look Fantastic

Toner: Applied using light pressure movements messaging into the skin with damp cotton wool. After cleansing, a skin toner is used to wipe off any final traces of dirt, makeup and cleanser residue that may still be on your skin as well as closing any open pours. I actually use Rose water as a toner One of the main benefits of rose water is that it acts as an anti-inflammatory & anti-bacterial properties, soothing to irritated skin, as a rich source of antioxidants, which can help strengthen your skin cells and regenerate new skin tissue, it is particularly beneficial to all skin types which is an added bonus. I love using rose water the sugars found in rose petals add to rose water's soothing effect and its natural oils trap moisture in the skin, helping it feel and look smoother. Its also help decrease damage to the skin's elastin fibers, helping with preventing wrinkles & fight anti-aging. The healing & rejuvenating effects make rose water a potentially valuable addition to your skin care regime I always recommend it on its own as a toner or moisturiser rather than in creams or lotions and I can certainly say I cannot live without it - I got mine from an Indian wholesaler and was GBP2.49 just make sure you buy one made of real rose and no rose essences. I keep my in this small mist bottle which I got from boots for GBP1.69 and decorated with stick on crystals just for some extra glam which I got from Claire's

Moisturiser: Applied using light movements in an upwards direction towards you lymphatic glands (nose & ears) massage into the skin gently to ensure skin absorbs the product a good, rich moisturiser which should also gives a good base to start make-up application. I use the Liz Earle Repair Moisturiser - I am in looooooooove with this product it is so gentle to the skin, however whilst being gentle its does what it is meant to do! It is rich without feeling heavy and my skin feels moisturised all day even though it is really dry and prone to Eczema. It is one of the few moisturisers I have tried that doesn't make my skin red and itchy, I would recommend for dry and sensitive skin. Naturally active ingredients include borage and avocado oil to intensively moisturise, smooth and protect the skin from day to day rigours of life. GBP26.00 as part of the Liz Earle Try me kit which also comes with the hot muslin cloth face mask which is ammaazinnnnnnng - available from Boots

I also have an extra little step to my beauty regime which is warm Argan oil massaged into my face, neck and lips - applied by 3 drops in the palm of my hand and warming it up by rubbing it in circular motions between both of my palms - you will instantly feel the oil warm up in your hands(it's actually quite a strange feeling) this step I only do in the evening before I go to sleep. I love Argan Oil of Morocco the texture it leaves my skin is the best I have ever felt my skin feel in such a long long time - soft and subtle, almost silk like! It can be used as a moisturiser as well but I like be a bit extra sometimes and use after my Liz Earle application ☺

It is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids that have many positive effects when applied & used correctly. It is always best to use certified organic Argan Oil, which means fewer chemicals you are using on yourself, I use Dr.Organic available from Holland & Barratt at GBP14.99. I also use Argan oil as a hair treatment, as it is extremely beneficial for hair & skin as it contains lots of natural antioxidants, that help boost new cells.
It also encourages the Sebum production in the skin (which is reallllly good basically) this helps in stopping your skin drying out & helps with the prevention of wrinkles. The immediate benefits can also be seen as it leaves the skin insanely soft and glowing - can leave skin looking to shiny when first applied which is why I do this before going to sleep. I wouldn't recommend this for those of you who suffer from medium/severe acne or oily skin types.

I never use look after myself until learnt the anatomy and physiology of skin and how important it is look after yourself to help fight ageing, mild acne, eczema as well as keeping all of these under control will = happy you!

All the product I use a naturally sourced products which is great because it means that your using less chemicals on your skin - All of the above takes me 10 minutes of my day if not less so it doesn’t take you all day to do this for you busy ones out there and there not products that are going to break the bank either - so no excuses!

Look after yourself and it will show - Be good to yourselves and each other of course :)

Until next time

Asma