Gimme Some Skin!

Hey chicas! Hope your week has started off as good as mine! Last night I went to a rehearsal for a gospel jazz band and it was awesome! That was my first rehearsal with the group and we all vibed really well together . We did a funky remix to an old gospel song to jazz it up. I love singing and I've always wanted to do something outside of the regular Sunday morning church service but I never had the opportunity until now. Can you tell how excited I am?! :-D

Okay, before I get off track let me move on to today's blog post. I get a lot of questions about what I use on my skin (mostly my face) because it's really clear and even-toned, so I think this blog would help answer some questions. I think your skin is the most important part of your body, but sadly, most of us fail to take proper care of it. So I'm going to talk about some ways to show your skin just how much you appreciate it.

The weather is biggest adversary when it comes to skin care. We all know that the cold winter air can suck the moisture right out of your skin, but the summer heat can be just as unforgiving. So its crucial to take care of your skin year round. Good skin care always starts with cleanliness! Try to use non-abrasive soaps and body washes (Dial, Zest and Irish Spring...you ARE the weakest link--goodbye!) This is especially important if you have sensitive skin like mine. Check it, some of the products that I use and recommend are Dove (if you've been using "regular" soap, you will tell a difference the first time you use it), Oil of Olay body washes are great, and lately I've become a fan of the new cream oil body washes. These are fantastic because you're getting a 2-for-1 deal. Its like a 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner for your hair, but for you body!! I also like to body washes that have micro-beads, so not only are you cleaning but exfoliating and getting rid of dead, dry skin.

When it comes to cleansing your face (dare not use the same products on your body for your face), choose a cleanser that's specific to your type of skin. Follow that with a toner. Toners remove excess dirt and oil from the face that cleansers can leave behind. If you have oily skin, you'll want to use a moisturizer that's oil free & non-greasy. On the contrary, for dry to normal skin, you'll want to use a product that is oil based or extra-moisturizing. Make sure you get products that are hypo-allergenic! If you're fair skinned, go for products that include sunscreen (UVA/UVB protectors). The face should be cleansed, toned and moisturized twice a day. The payoff will be worth it. It would also be wise to invest in a good eye cream/serum; the skin around the eyes is the thinnest and needs its own special care & attention.

Exfoliation: this is a key component of skin care. Things like waxing, shaving & exposure to free radicals can cause damaged skin cells. Exfoliation gently removes dead, damaged cells on the surface of the skin to reveal a fresh layer of skin giving you a glowing, rejuvenated look! Don't overdo it though--once a week is sufficient enough.

So, in a nutshell, great skin can be achieved in a few simple steps:

• Cleanse
• Tone
• Moisturize
• Exfoliate once a week
• Get 6-8 hours of sleep - I def don't wanna leave this out. If you find it hard to get enough sleep at night, take a quick nap during the day (even if its 30 minutes on your lunch break). When you sleep, the body goes into "repair mode". Skin is regenerative, but the body needs sufficient rest to do its best work.

Side note: I tell all my clients to start this process two weeks before they're having their makeup done, especially brides.

Hopefully this doesn't sound too high maintenance for you. Once you get into the routine of skin care it will become easier, and very much worth it. You should start to notice a difference within 1-2 weeks. Leave comments and let me know how it goes. I'll be back with another post either tomorrow or Thursday! Until then chicas, take care and take charge! :-)

P.S. Don't forget to become a follower of my blog!

FCC disclosure: I was not paid to endorse or mention any of the products specifically discussed in this blog, nor am I affiliated with any of the companies.