Redbook May 2014

Give Yourself a Facial

Deep Clean Your Skin

Massage a rich cleansing milk into your skin using your fingertips, rubbing upward in circular motions. Cover your face with a warm, damp towel for two minutes just one for sensitive skin and gently press it in. This is a better alternative than steaming, which can dry out skin. To loosen clogged pores use two damp washcloths one in each to gently press  along the sides of blackheads, wiggling the skin to free them. Leave red pimples alone. Rinse off with warm water never hot and a washcloth, which helps remove every trace of cleanser.

Exfoliate Gently

Use a creamy scrub with beads or make your own by mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with freshly squeezed orange or lemon juice. Their citric acid dissolves dead skin. Dab on the scrub, then lightly roll your fingertips all around your face. Do this for two minutes, spending at least one minute on your T-zone.  Wash with cool water, which helps constrict capillaries so you won’t look red afterward.

Do a smoothing face mask

Brush on your mask using a makeup fan brush to get a nice even layer. Just avoid the eye area. Let it sit on your skin for at least 20 minutes and up to an hour then take it off with a  facial wipe or a damp washcloth. Rinsing with water can wash away a mask’s benefits. Pat on your regular night cream while your skin is still damp to seal in hydration.

Pack a beauty emergency kit [multi use products]

1. Hand cream - it is surprisingly good on hair: rub a drop on your palms, then graze them over any renegade bits of frizz. Or use a teeny dab to add piecey-ness to smooth dry ends.

2. Stick Sunscreen - use it to soften cuticles

3. Concealer - concealer works just as well as foundation. Plus, pat on a bit before you apply shadow or lipstick - it’ll give them longer staying power.

4. Thermal spring water spray - mist it on limp curls or waves to renew their bounce.

5. Mascara - it can be used as eyeliner in a pinch and cover grays for brunettes.

6. Translucent face powder - use it like dry shampoo, sweeping it on roots to sop up oil and add volume. You can also brush it over lipstick between coats help the color stay put.

7. Visine - the drops constrict blood  vessels, so dot a little on broken capillaries or a pimple to bring down redness fast.

8. Sheer lipstick - it can also be used for blush

9. Vaseline - to touch up crunchy mascara, rub a dab of the balm on fingertips, then glide them over your lashes to make make fresh mascara go on smooth.