Beauty Regimen for a cleaner face

Ms. Dulce Lada

Having a clean face is important, no perfect make up can ever substitute a clean blemish free face.

Whenever I feel ugly, its not just because my make up doesn't feel right...it is usually when I have a pimple or we find my face too course or too oily. I call it a 'stressed' face.

The usual beauty regimen I do is  wash my face in the morning and at night.  Unless necessary, I try to wash my face twice a day, maximum -- It is more than enough for any skin type..

Here are some points to watch out for:

1. Washing the face too often may lead to oily skin, the glands may be tricked to thinking that it is not producing enough oil, thus it will, in effect, produce more.  Not cleansing regularly especially before you sleep may also lead to build up and eruptions.
2. Also when cleaning your face, use trepid water.  Hot water can dry and damage the skin and cold water won't dissolve and take away the grim as effectively as lukewarm water.
3. You can do without a sponge or a cloth, your fingertips can do a very good job in cleaning your face.  Make sure to wash your hands though before cleansing, otherwise, you might end up rubbing and working dirt in your facial skin.
4. Do not Scrub too much.  It will damage your skin.  Upward circular massaging strokes is enough to loosen the grime and dirt.
5. Rinse with lots of water otherwise the cleanser residue will clog and attract dirt.
6. Blot your face dry, do not rub!
7. Seal it off with a water based moisturizer afterwards because it is when skin is most receptive to nourishment.

Having a clean face is important, no perfect make up can ever be a substitute to a clean blemish free face.  However there are instances when facial wash is not enough.  Especially during my period or when I am very busy and stressed because that would mean not enough time to slee. I've end up having skin discoloration and then pimples would start to show...What I use to clean my face up, when facial wash and water doesn't do the trick is I buy the Beauche set.

my facial cleansing kit
*toner, clarifying lotion, exfoliating cream,
rejuvenating cream, age eraser cream

One set is Php 750 - a set consists of one of each:  soap, skin toner, clarifying lotion, exfoliating cream, rejuvenating cream, and an age eraser cream.

The soap is color orange and it smells really nice, Brendel said it's papaya.  The toner also has a sweet smell.  The age eraser cream actually works as a sunblock.  Just make sure to use it thinly on your face.  Too much of it will make you perspire as the cream is heavy.

If you decide try it, one thing you would notice after your first use is the softness and coolness of your skin.  Try touching your cheek and feel how instantly it loses its dryness.  The first two days though, you wouldn't want to go out, your pimples and blemishes is at its worst.

I don't normally peel off when I use it, nor does it make my face white.  It clears your face and it makes it blemish free, you would have a feeling that your face has brightened up.  I have a friend though who had experienced a mild peeling when using this kit.  So I think, it may vary, depending on your skin type.

Usually, after three days of use, my face would start to clear up.  Stubborn pimples dry and my face would be almost blemish free after a week of using it daily.  After using it for two to three weeks, I use the toner and clarifying lotion and the creams every other day or three times a week ^.^

Trim those eyebrows!

No plans to trim those bushy eyebrows?

Ladies, may I tell you that clean and well defined eyebrows is the key to looking neat and refreshed?  The eyebrows actually define the face.  If the hair defines your image by 50%, the eyebrows is the next big factor that affects how you look.

Another is, if you are not big on make up, maintaining your eyebrow is essential.  A naturally thick eyebrow can make the most beautiful woman looking masculine.

I don't mean you go ahead and pluck them crazy.  I meant, shape them properly.

 The biggest mistake other people make is they tweeze them too much making their eyebrows look like a divine mistake God committed upon his creation of that person.  Ever seen a woman that looks so much of a snob? most likely her eyebrows are arched higher than the rest.  It's called a "false expression" due to a "beauty malfunction".  You have to remember, eyebrows play a major role in expression and has an important facilitative role in communication.  Shaping your eyebrows incorrectly, like arching it too much, may send out a psychological signal that you are angry, when in fact you are not.

Eyebrows also help you define your personality.  A bright and "lit-up" face is not because of make up, but rather it is because of well trimmed eyebrows.  It brings attention to your eyes serving as a frame for your face.  Thick eyebrows bring attention to just the brows, period.

Your eyebrows complement your eyes, lips, and facial structure.  If you have a straight eyebrow, arching them might not look good on you.  The best way to trim your eyebrows is to work with what type of eyebrow you have.  If you arch them the wrong way, it will look prominent and out of place making you look weird.

Eyebrows also protect your eyes from sweat and other debris...so plucking them until they are only but a single line of their former "self" is not a good idea.  It makes you look washed out and outdated.  It will also add unnecessary maturity on your face e.g. makes you look OLD.

If you don't know how to, best to consult a professional.  When it starts to grow back, it is easier to upkeep it yourself.

Eyebrow Threading is already available is salons around the city.  It costs about Php100-150.

For those who are not familiar with eyebrow threading, it's a hair removal technique using a cotton thread instead of tweezers.  The aesthetician pluck a clean line of hair all at once.  Threading is the easier and quicker method of trimming the eyebrows.  It is more precise than waxing and does not use harmful products.

Threading is highly recommended for those who use Retin-A, Accutane, or similar products.

For those who would like to try it on themselves, please! please! do it with a good mirror and in bright light.  Do not tempt fate by trying this beauty trick in low light, or worse, in the dark! =P

TIP: The best time to pluck your eyebrows is the WEEK AFTER your first red day (period).  It is when our body is least sensitive to hair removal ^.^

Below is an instructional video from video jug featuring a professional make-up artist and her tips on how to shape your brow properly.  

You will need a stick or a pencil, eyebrow pencil, and tweezers.

(video from videojug.com)

Eyebrows:

How To Determine Your Eyebrow Shape