This is the season to sparkle and shine. Your company party or friendly get together may have been scaled back but that doesn’t mean you have to. You can still look glam and gorgeous no matter how small the party. A slick of gloss, a dash of shine, even a spritz of perfume and you’re good to go. What’s even better is that there are so many different trends you can pick and choose one .

1)Twilight hours It must be the vampire craze that’s hitting America. Last year’s fake tan has given way to fake pallor. An ethereal white look is suddenly in vogue. Add a pale luminous shine by dusting a mineral veil over your face. Everyday Minerals and Signature Minerals have the best veils for this – not too sparkly with just the right shimmer. Add a pale pewter grey or purple eye shadow and a pale pink gloss and you’re good to go.

2) Red reigns. Last year’s red lipstick craze hasn’t ended . You can amp up any holiday outfit with a slick of red lipstick. If it’s too much intensity then just experiment with red gloss. elf has some nice ones in the mineral and studio lines that are just downright sexy. If you’re going for red lips then also then add neatly made up eyes and a very little blush. (Think Evan Rachel Wood as Queen Sophie Ann in HBO’s True Blood). Just draw a thin line of navy or blue eyeliner over a natural hued eye along with using the barest sweep of blush.

3) Eye shine Eyes take on a metallic edge this season. Golds, coppers and silvers are all used in varying degrees from highlighter to liner with shadow in between. A popular look is having a sweep of gold or silver over the lid then lining the entire eye either a deep bronze or pewter. Another festive look is a pale gold or champagne eye and line with an iridescent blue , green or purple. You can also buy mascara in these colors to add further oomph. Remember to keep the rest of your face natural with a soft coral or pale pink blush and nude lip gloss.

 4) Smoking allowed. Another great eye look is the smoky one. This is done with varying shades of grey and black swept around lids. Think cat or Egyptian goddess with a slightly elongated line heading towards the brow. The best bet is a sparkly pewter washed over the lid and brow bone. Then layer a sheer iridescent black over the section near the outer corners. Finish with a black gel liner and an dot of sparkly white shadow in your eyes’inner corners. Again the rest of the face should be toned down with a light sweep of blush and a pale pink or nude lipstick or gloss.

 5) Glitterati Glitter is making a big comeback and in a good way. You can have glitter eyes, lips or face. It’s now ground so finely so there’s none of that junior high “sparkle spackle” look.. Still the one rule applies. Use your most attractive feature and play it up with glitter. If you’re still having reservations, then only apply glitter to your nails. Start with a festive color like red or gold and apply a mix of glitter and clear polish over them

6)Winter waves. Look like you‘ve just spent a day at the beach even in December. Create tousled waves for your holiday dos by using a salt spray and a wide barrel curling iron. David Babaii’s Bohemian Beach Spray is the best product for this style. Spray it generously on freshly washed hair and let air dry. Use a large barrel curling iron or heated rollers and wrap sectioned hair around either. . After curling, run fingers through your mane for a textured look and spay with a light hair spray.

7) Bun times. A bun is still the way to go for party updos. Except this time it’s not so tight or sleek . Think more Twilight romantic vampire than uptight “Mad Men” secretary. Again used a salt pray for a better texture to work with and gather hair into a low pony tail. Then wrap the loose hair in a haphazard twist , leaving two sections of loose hair around the face. Secure bun with bobby pins. Separate these into two pieces and braid each section. Work braids into the bun, fastening in place with decorated bobby pins.

False fronts. Nothing says dazzle like sexy eyes. How to get this? That old dress up classic – false eyelashes. These open the face and add a certain amount of glamour to any look. Keep makeup at a minimum. Eye shadow colors should be either a light dusting of a sparkly taupe , or champagne . You can go with a very light sweep of midnight blue or deep purple for a more dramatic look. Keep blush to just a barely there sweep across the cheeks . Lips should be a sophisticated matte color. Stay away from the gloss because this will look too Vegas show girl.

9) The scent of a woman. Sometimes the best look is no look at all. If you are rushing from work to a party, then just spritz on your favorite scent or try something new. Demeter Perfumes has purse sized perfume dispensers as does Burberry, Carolina Herrara and Michael Kors. Store a few in your desk for different types of parties and gatherings. A pretty perfume is sometimes all you need to be party ready!

 This is the season for glamour – no matter how small or scaled back the party. After all it is still party and that deserves a little sprucing up. Choose a look and you’re good to go. Have fun with the different styles and the easy glamour of it all!

Do you, like me, enjoy a Sunday afternoon in the garden armed with an MP3 or personal CD player and a good book?  Well, next time you settle yourself down on your sun lounger ensure you have a few squares of dark chocolate to hand!  Recent  research carried out at a private health clinic in renowned Harley Street, London has shown that it may help prevent wrinkles caused by ultraviolet light from the sun.

Apparently if you make it a habit of having just a couple of squares a day you could ward off old age!  This research is also looking into the possibility that it may lower the risk of skin cancer but nothing concrete has come of this yet so “don’t try that at home” and ensure you use a high SPF lotion!

Experiments have indicated that you can’t use just any old dark chocolate but it needs to be very high in flavanols which are antioxidants occurring naturally in cocoa beans.  The study found that those volunteers who ate high flavanol based chocolate could tolerate higher UV light on their skin than those who ate a lower rated variety.

Unfortunately though, chocolate with sufficient flavanols to combat the onset of old age isn’t generally available at your local newsagent.  Seems that by the time I’m able to take advantage of this I’ll be long dead and buried!!  But interesting theory!!

Maybe not the most attractive lingerie in the world, but this Dutch designed bra claims to get rid of cleavage wrinkles when the woman sleeps on her side.

Rachel de Boer who designed it says that it provides cushioning between the breasts to prevent them getting squashed together which, in turn, causes wrinkles.  Apparently this bra has been sold in Holland now for about a year at around £45 a throw (or around £22.50 a boob!) and has now made it available to the rest of Europe via her website and hopes to be able to sell it on our High Streets eventually.

Rachel, who had been an air hostess and so had spent several years in sunny climes, found that the sun had had an effect on her skin and she had begun to notice the cleavage crease.  Having discussed this with a friend, the friend had suggested going to sleep with a cushion shoved into her cleavage so the resourceful Rachel decided to try and come up with a slightly less cumbersome solution! 

The bra is made of Lycra and comes in white or black and fastens at the back.  It’s got no cups but it has a cushion which sits in the middle of the chest.  The padding is filled with an anti-allergenic fibre and the straps can be adjusted to fit a bust between 30 and 42 inches.

Unfortunately for you European ladies out there wishing to purchase one of these wonderful contraptions, I have no website address so, for the time being, I’d suggest waiting for them to come into your local M&S and making do with a cushion secured by a bit of string!!

Put Away the Tweezers

When you’ve overplucked your eyebrows, it’s easy to add insult to injury by plucking more hair in a desperate attempt to make things better. Put the tweezers away unless your eyebrows are grossly uneven. Chances are you’ll do ever more damage if you continue plucking. Instead use an eyelash brush to comb the remaining hairs into place so you can better assess the damage.

After Overplucking Eyebrows, Fill in the Damage

The best way to fix overplucked eyebrows is to use an eyeliner pencil in a color that’s one shade lighter than your natural eyebrows. Use light, feathery strokes to apply it to the areas that have been overplucked. Resist the urge to use a heavy hand. You can always go back and fill in more color later if you’re not satisfied with the initial application. Choosing a color that’s too dark or applying it with heavy strokes will create a harsh look that’s too unnatural.

Once you’ve filled in both eyebrows, move to a window and inspect your work under natural light. Can you see where you’ve applied the color? If it doesn’t look natural, you’ll need to start over again. If you notice gaps, use an eyeshadow brush to dab brow powder in the same shade as your liner onto the areas that need it. Now that you have the damage covered, be patient. It takes time to grow back overplucked eyebrows.

How to Prevent Future Problems

Most people need some guidance when shaping their eyebrows to reduce the risk of overplucking. It may be worth the money to let a professional pluck and establish a natural looking brow line you can maintain at home. It’s less challenging when you only have to remove the re-growth.

If you don’t want to spend the money on a professional, consider using an eyebrow stencil. If you haven’t discovered the convenience of eyebrow stencils, you’re in for a surprise. They provide an easy to use blueprint for shaping eyebrows evenly. You can even get eyebrow stencils in the shape of your favorite celebrity eyebrows. If you’re in a hurry, there are sites where you can print out online eyebrow stencils on your printer and use them right away.

The Take-Home Message

Eyebrows take time to grow back, so it’s best to use a stencil or let a professional give you guidance if you’re unsure of the shape you want. Thick, full eyebrows look stunning anyway, so lighten up on the tweezers.

Did you know that some basic household items can be used to enhance your own beauty without breaking your budget?  I have decided to share some of my favorite secrets here. 

The best way to exfoliate tired hands is by using coarse sea salt or kosher salt, warm water and a good hand cream.  If your hands are not feeling their best, simply pour a generous amount of coarse salt into the palm of your hand, adding just enough water to slightly moisten it.  Using a vigorous motion, scrub your hands together with the sea salt.  The more you scrub, the smoother your hands will feel.  Don’t forget the backs of your hands and in between your fingers too!  When you are done, simply wash the salt down the drain and thoroughly rinse any of the remaining salt.  Pat dry with a soft towel, and slather freshly exfoliated fingers with your favorite hand cream.  Voila, your hands will feel smooth, silky and gorgeous.  You can do this once a month, or twice a week depending on what you like. 

If you are in a pinch and have run out of eye makeup remover, take one part warm water, and one part olive oil – or even baby oil, if you like.  Using a small, clean bottle, combine ingredients and shake several times.  You now have a great way to remove eye makeup without harming your eyes.  I find it to work as well as eye makeup remover, even removing stubborn waterproof mascara.  One warning is to not leave the mixture in your cupboard for too long, as bacteria can pollute it, and irritate your eyes.  Dump the mixture out and replace after a few uses.

Olive oil is also a great replacement for traditional store-bought hot oil treatments for the hair.  To deep condition dry, damaged or frizzy hair, dampen hair and add a small amount of slightly warmed olive oil to it.  Massage into the hair, taking care to make sure you get it on the ends of your hair where most of the damage occurs.  After several minutes, simply wash out.  If you have fine, limp or oily hair, I would not recommend this because it will only serve to make the hair appear oilier. 

If you are a lover of the sunless tanner but not a fan of the orange palms, here is a quick solution to restoring your hands back to their original color.  To effectively remove the tanner from your hands, simply take a few teaspoons of dry laundry soap into your hands, add a little bit of water and mix together until it is a paste. Rub the mixture thoroughly between your palms for several seconds.  After a few moments, the orange color will begin to fade away.  Be sure to remove all of the soap, since it can be very drying to the skin.  You can follow this with lusciously scented cocoa body butter.  And if you have trouble reaching areas of your back with the lotion, consider using the spray sunless tanner by Coppertone.  It will complete your tan and make you look sun-kissed and ready for the beach.

If you love the feel of loose powder but have run out, just use regular baby powder and a large fluffy brush.  Baby powder also works well to refresh tired, oily hair if you don’t have time to wash.  It acts as a dry shampoo, absorbing the oil from your hair and scalp.  Once you sprinkle the baby powder into your hair, simply brush thoroughly to remove excess powder.  If you have darker hair, however, make sure to remove as much powder as possible, as it will dull down color and shine.

To whiten and brighten your smile quickly and cheaply, consider using baking soda toothpaste like “Arm and Hammer Triple Whitening” toothpaste and follow with a good rinse of “Scope Whitening” mouthwash.  The effect is by mixing the baking soda toothpaste with peroxide based mouthwash, it will instantly cause foaming action in your mouth which will actually assist in whitening teeth quickly.  If you do it every day twice, your smile will stay white, bright and absolutely gorgeous.  Just make sure not to use straight peroxide and baking soda, as this can burn the gums and cause them to bleed.  Nothing looks more beautiful than a pearly, white smile.  And always remember to floss!

Here are some other beauty tips I’d like to share…

When getting ready for an elegant soiree, nothing can wow a crowd more than a killer LBD, kitten heels and dramatic, sultry makeup.  The secret to making it look gorgeous and professional is to only play up one key feature of your face, leaving the rest soft and neutral.  If you wish to sport sexy, smoky eyes, wear a soft nude lip color or even just a dab of shiny gloss in the center of the lower lip.  In the same sense, if you choose to perfect your pout with full red lips, keep eyes soft and natural, using nude/brownish shadows along with a single swipe of mascara.  If you apply too much makeup all over, the look will be garish and unappealing.  For a “fresh” look, use a soft peach color dusted onto the apples of your cheeks.  Just be sure not to use too much, or make it too high up on the face.  If you have added too much blusher, simply use a soft powder to tone it down.  Do not try to rub the excess makeup off your face, as it will just make a mess of your face.

One area that leaves no room for bargain basement budgeting is fragrance.  The cheaper the perfume, the worse it smells.  The big difference between the lesser and higher class fragrances is that cheap perfumes use alcohol as a base where fine perfumes use perfume oil which lasts longer, and goes on more subtle.  The alcohol based perfumes tend to go on very strong, and fade quickly.  Colognes will fade quicker than full perfumes, and ladies, please!  Remember that once you have worn a perfume for several hours, your olfactory senses grow used to the perfume, rendering it very difficult for you to smell it.  Before applying more perfume, make sure that you are not just used to the smell, or it could become heavy and overpowering to people around you.  Hint:  If your perfume lingers on long after you’ve left the room, you’re wearing too much.

One of the most fun ways of updating your look cheaply is by changing your hair color.  If you have never used a color before, it would be advisable to only lift or deepen your color by a shade or two.  I always feel refreshed and beautiful after touching up my hair.  Always make sure to do the strand test and the allergy test which is posted on the box.  Warning:  If you choose to dramatically lighten your hair, you could end up seriously damaging your hair, making it break off.  If you use a hair lightening kit on dark hair, it may turn orange.  Any time you wish for a drastic change in color, visit your local salon.  I have colored my hair for years and have changed it more times than I can count.  Right now I’m loving the dark natural blonde shade which is one shade lighter than my natural color.  Mid-range colors tend to look the most natural, and if you dye your hair too deep, you could end up with unnaturally black hair. 

With the Holiday Season barreling towards us at breakneck speed, you can still look gorgeous and wow the crowd without spending your last dime on your look.  Chunky, look-at-me jewelry is in, and can sometimes be picked up for next to nothing in some of the retail shops in your local mall.  Large bejeweled rings, cuff bracelets and chandelier earrings are all the rage.  To add punch to your Christmas look, consider adding some pretty, inexpensive accessories.  Walmart carries a wide array of fun pieces, and is definitely worth a look around.  Adding large fashion pieces to everyday clothing can add fun to your wardrobe.

Some extra tips for looking great for nothing is to watch your posture.  Make sure you walk with your back straight and your head held high.  People who slouch are considered less attractive than those who walk tall and proud.  Remember to smile, and make eye contact with people. 

Most of the tips shared here are tips that I, myself have used successfully and that friends of mine have found to work.  I hope you enjoyed the article, and remember that beauty doesn’t have to break the bank.  Remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the most important beholder of your own beauty is you!

Have a Beautiful Day! 

Both salon owners and customers are enthusiastic about this procedure once they get over the initial fear of placing their feet into a tank of small, fish that nibble on flesh. Many spa goers find a fish pedicure to be relaxing and enjoy the slight tingling sensation created by the frenzied action of the feeding fish. The pedicure performed by garra rufa fish is painless since the fish are toothless and only feed on dead skin tissue. How much does this experience cost? It can run anywhere from forty to sixty dollars for a thirty minute dip into the tank. This is profitable for the salon owner who only has to maintain a tank of several thousand small fish which he can use over and over.

So, why are health officials concerned about the growing phenomenon of fish pedicures? According to officials, a fish pedicure can cause tiny nicks or scratches on the skin which have the potential to become infected with bacteria and fungus. These fish are kept in non-chlorinated water which could be a source of bacteria and fungi that could lead to foot infections. So concerned are health officials about the growing phenomenon of fish pedicures that they’ve been banned in many states and other states plan to follow suit.

A fish pedicure is considered to be a luxury in the spas that offer it; but there’s concern about how the small fish are treated. To make them more efficient at performing their job, the fish are given little food – motivating them to attack the dead skin tissue on feet with more enthusiasm. Even upscale spas in the Washington D.C. and New York City area are capitalizing on this trend, although New York senator Jeff Klein is working towards banning this practice both for its health risks and the inhumane treatment of the fish. This could be a problem for the salon owners who have invested heavily in these fish which cost up to four dollars each.

What will be the fate of this unusual practice? Will getting a fish pedicure go the way of other ill-fated beauty trends? Many health officials are hoping so.

Are You Cleansing Your Skin Properly?

Many people with an oily face make the mistake of working too hard to remove every last bit of oil. Using a harsh detergent based cleanser and scrubbing too aggressively can scratch the skin and increase oil production due to overstimulation. When all of the protective oils are removed, the sebaceous glands pump out more which leads to further breakouts and shine. The key is to use a gentle, oil-free soap or cleanser to cleanse along with plenty of warm water. A good choice is Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. Resist the urge to be overly aggressive when you work with a shiny, oily face. It won’t help the problem and can actually cause harm.

After Cleansing an Oily Face

Once you’ve cleansed your skin with an oil-free formula, follow up with an astringent to reduce shine and seal the pores. Both Neutrogena and Clearasil make oil-free astringents that remove shine without being overly harsh. Astringent should be applied with a cotton pad using a gentle dabbing motion. Avoid rubbing the skin as this can spread acne causing bacteria around the face. Using an astringent regularly can help to improve the appearance of a shiny, oily face. Do you need moisturizer? If so, it should be oil-free and applied only to the driest areas of the face. Never apply moisturizer to an area prone to breakouts or shine.

Other Ways to Treat a Shiny Face Due to Excess Oil

To freshen up a shiny, oily face during the day, carry along a pack of oil blotting papers to remove shine throughout the day. These can be found at most drugstores. If your face still looks shiny after using the blotting paper, apply a light layer of matte, oil-free pressed powder.

Other Tips

If you have an oily face that’s prone to acne, talk to your doctor about topical Retin-A. It will not only help to prevent breakouts, but decreases oil production as well in some people. Steam cleansing the skin and applying a clay based mask can also help to reduce excess oil and shine.

The Bottom Line?

An oily face presents challenges, but choosing the right products and practicing proper skin care techniques can make the problem much more manageable.

Are You Cleansing Your Skin Properly?

Many people with an oily face make the mistake of working too hard to remove every last bit of oil. Using a harsh detergent based cleanser and scrubbing too aggressively can scratch the skin and increase oil production due to overstimulation. When all of the protective oils are removed, the sebaceous glands pump out more which leads to further breakouts and shine. The key is to use a gentle, oil-free soap or cleanser to cleanse along with plenty of warm water. A good choice is Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. Resist the urge to be overly aggressive when you work with a shiny, oily face. It won’t help the problem and can actually cause harm.

After Cleansing an Oily Face

Once you’ve cleansed your skin with an oil-free formula, follow up with an astringent to reduce shine and seal the pores. Both Neutrogena and Clearasil make oil-free astringents that remove shine without being overly harsh. Astringent should be applied with a cotton pad using a gentle dabbing motion. Avoid rubbing the skin as this can spread acne causing bacteria around the face. Using an astringent regularly can help to improve the appearance of a shiny, oily face. Do you need moisturizer? If so, it should be oil-free and applied only to the driest areas of the face. Never apply moisturizer to an area prone to breakouts or shine.

Other Ways to Treat a Shiny Face Due to Excess Oil

To freshen up a shiny, oily face during the day, carry along a pack of oil blotting papers to remove shine throughout the day. These can be found at most drugstores. If your face still looks shiny after using the blotting paper, apply a light layer of matte, oil-free pressed powder.

Other Tips

If you have an oily face that’s prone to acne, talk to your doctor about topical Retin-A. It will not only help to prevent breakouts, but decreases oil production as well in some people. Steam cleansing the skin and applying a clay based mask can also help to reduce excess oil and shine.

The Bottom Line?

An oily face presents challenges, but choosing the right products and practicing proper skin care techniques can make the problem much more manageable.

Puffiness

1. Caffeine has a natural effect in taking out that extra bulge in your eyes.  As a simple trick, save the teabag you used during your tea break ( Black Tea is preferred) – place it in a small container and refrigerate to keep it moist. Place the cooled tea bags in your eyes for 5 minutes. You may also look for eye creams that contain caffeine to help de-puff your eyes in the morning.
2. Limit your cocktails. Too much alcohol can cause dehydration and swelling on your peepers. Limit your alcoholic drinks to a glass or two, and drink a glass of water before and after to help keep hydration on check.
3. Get enough sleep.  Having that eight hour’s worth of sleep is the easiest and cheapest way to get rid of your puffy eyes. So try to make it a habit to hop into the sack by 10pm and get yourself ready for the sweetest dreams ever – and start waking up with a more radiant looking you. Do note and over-doing your sleep and going beyond 10 hours will also cause puffiness.
4. Lessen your salt intake.  Sodium causes bloating to our entire body and our eyes are not exempted. Limit your sodium and load up with water and that should lessen the swelling.

Dark Circles

1. Use SPF. Too much sun exposure can also cause darkening of the skin around your eyes. Look for an eye cream that has SPF to use during the daytime to get it protected.
2. Treat your eyes. A lot of eye creams now offer a range of benefits that fits your concern. Look for creams that specially target pigmentation and offer ingredients that repairs past sun damage.

Dryness

1. Less coffee, more water. Increase your water intake if your eyes start feeling dry. During this time, lessen your coffee intake as it has a diuretic effect that can further drive water loss.
2. Sleep without your eye makeup. Sleeping with makeup still on your face can actually cause irritation, and this does not exempt your eyes. Ensuring that you sleep with a clean face will help avoid unnecessary irritations and rashes. Keep in your bathroom a bottle of eye makeup remover to ensure that the ingredients are gentle to your eyes. You can also keep baby wipes near your bed just in times where you are just so tired to wash up.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

1. Wear your shades. Over exposure to the sun causes premature ageing.  Make sure you don’t leave home without your favorite sunglasses to shade your eyes and prevent yourself from squinting from the sun’s rays. This will allow you to enjoy your day under the sun, protect your eyes and look your fashionably best.
2. Moisturize. We often put moisturizers on our face, but forget our eyes. Chose from a variety of eye creams to help keep your eyes moisturized to help prevent and delay those fine lines in your eyes. Avoid using face creams in your eyes, as they might cause undue irritation. In applying your eye cream, do use your ring finger and gently tap the cream around your eyes. Never rub the cream around your eyes as the pulling motion will only contribute to an earlier sagging of the skin around your eyes.
3. Careful with your eye makeup. All the pulling and tugging of your eyes will cause damage to the skin around your eyes. Use makeup brushes in applying your eye makeup – if you really want to use your finger, do use your ring finger for a more gentle application. When you remove your eye makeup, soak a cotton ball/ cotton pad with the solution and gently place over your eyes for at least 25 seconds and gently swipe it outwards.

1. Concealer + Lip Gloss = Nude Lipstick

   Using your lip brush, scrape off a small amount of concealer and blend with your favorite lip gloss. Once the consistency is smooth, apply to your lips for a very natural lip color.

2. Mineral Powder + Moisturizer = Tinted Moisturizer

   Create your personal tinted moisturizer and have that perfect blend of shade to fit your skin tone. As an added tip, look for a moisturizer that contains SPF to ensure better protection to your skin. Using a clean plate/ surface, blend-in the usual amount of moisturizer you use for a single application with a dash of mineral powder. You may opt to put more powder to get the right shade. Once texture is smooth, apply moisturizer to your face and neck for a natural and light coverage.

3. Lipstick + Moisturizer = Cream Blush

   Love the lipstick shade you have and wish you had a similar shade for your cheeks? Swipe your favorite lipstick at the back of your hand a couple of times (four to five times). Dab a small amount of moisturizer into the lipstick at the back of your hand and blend using your fingertips. Lightly tap the texture in the apples of your cheek for that cute and pinking flush.

4. Sugar + Olive Oil = Lip Scrub

   Make sure you have your kissable lips ready anytime by sloughing off dead skin cells and flakes by performing a do-it-yourself lip scrub. Mix a tablespoon of olive oil with a teaspoon full of granulated sugar and rub in a gentle circular motion to your kissers. Leave for 3 minutes and then rinse.

5. Lipstick + Talcum Powder = Long Wearing Lipstick

   Love your lip color, but you can’t seem to make it last longer? Pat lips dry and dust a light layer of talcum powder on your lips. Apply your favorite lipstick as you normally do, then dust another layer of talcum powder to seal-n the color.

Moisturize

Most of us neglect this tip.  Moisturize is crucial to helping skin renew itself.  Read up on how wrinkles occur and this is relatively simple to understand.  In a nutshell, without moisture, skin will start looking cracked and wrinkly.  This is what we’re trying to prevent, so start off with moisturizing.  Be sure to use a facial-specific moisturizer for your face.  It’s best to moisturize both your body and face twice a day.  Make it part of your daily routine from when you’re getting ready in the morning to when you’re preparing for bed at night.

Buy Moisturizer With SPF in it

This helps form a sort of protective screen from damaging rays.  Believe it or not, SPF is crucial even on cloudy days.  Get a facial moisturizer (and body if you wish) that contains SPF to help prevent this damage.  You do not need a moisturizer that has a high SPF number.  Those usually are just marketing ploys, and not necessary for everyday use.  Keep in mind that you do not want sun tan lotion.  There are many products on the market that contain SPF, both for your face and for your body.

Start Using Jojoba Oil

No matter what your skin type, Jojoba oil works wonders for all!  If you have oily skin, it will help balance the oils levels and leave your skin looking and feeling great.  It may seem odd to fight oil with oil, but read any reviews and it’s loved by so many people for this very reason.  If your skin is dry, it will help retain some moisture.  You can put it on your face (a little bit goes a long way) under lotion and makeup.  It will help you to have a healthy glow.  You can also add it to your body lotion to get some of the same results there as well. 

Protect Yourself From The Sun

When you are going to be in the sun for a long period of time, it’s important to opt for a sun block lotion.  Also, wear protective clothing to avoid damage.  The tighter the knit of the clothing you’re using to protect yourself, the better.

Avoid Soaps That Dry You Out

This will come from trial and error, and hopefully some research of what products tend to dry people out.  Once you feel a soap is drying you out, stop using it.  While you may think moisturizing will fix this, that’s not necessarily true.  Also, very hot showers can dry you out as well.

There are many tips and tricks out there to help you avoid looking aged.  Feel free to share any of your personal favorites in the comments!