Monday, 2 January 2017

Makeup for Beginners (Part I)

I've often come across people especially girls asking me how do I do my makeup. So, I decided to come out with my own 'formula' to answer most of the questions. Some of my friends would complain 'why the hassle? especially early in the morning!". Ladies and gentlemen, let me make this clear, I didn't start makeup because I love doing it! I've mentioned how I got myself into makeup in my first blog post. [So, I save you from the long story! 😂] Well, I started off because of insecurity and a way to hide my imperfection. But NOW it's more like I can't live without it and it's part of LIFE! (It has given me a lit to my day in the morning, brighter than the sun!) Ever since then, it's never because of I had to do it but I LOVE 💗 doing it! I'm not saying everyone of you should start doing makeup but if you've something you want to correct (eg. dark circles, blemishes, pigmentation), makeup is never a bad idea. [BTW I don't mean you should cover all the imperfections, cause I believe everybody lives with a little imperfection which makes you different from others] And the makeup trend in 2017 is to look as natural as possible. (There's been a trend where makeup artist even draw freckles on their clients who originally don't have them) So, what I provide here is just my personal 'formula' or merely a guide for beginners. 😂 

Before I start the main topic (makeup), I would like to bring you to the theory of constructing a building. In short, in order for the building (a.k.a makeup) to last forever or at least a good amount of time, a concrete, stable and  strong base is not just essential but a MUST. What does the base in this context means? Basically it means our SKIN. Concrete, stable and strong can be translated as the general condition or well-being of the skin. Therefore, in order to achieve that "concrete, stable and strong" skin, I highly recommend implementing the right skincare before any makeup. And here goes my 7-step on how to start makeup (Finally!🙈):

1) Learn about your skin

What I'm trying to imply here is that every single one of us has a different skin type even though our skin cells are composed of about-the-same component. By learning about your own skin, you're more likely to find the right product in the market in order to optimize your skin condition.

What are the skin types?

  • Normal
  • Dry
  • Combination
  • Oily/Acne-prone
  • Sensitive
  • Aging
These are probably some of them but if you have any to add just comment at the section below. Our skin types could change with time and change in environment (four seasons, extreme heat or air-conditioner). Lucky or somehow unlucky (if you have bad skin), Malaysians generally don't experience much changes cause we are living in a tropical weather.

"How do I know what skin type I am?"
Best indicator: After washing your face, leave your skin for 30 minutes or more (without applying any skincare) then observe your skin

  • Normal: You're lucky! Thanks your parents for the good genes!😀 
  • Dry: Your skin feel tight from deep within/ dry flakes, patches is seen
  • Combination: Part of your face will feel tight/dry flakes, patches (Usually cheeks area)BUT other part of the face has sebum/oil production (Usually the T-zone: forehead and nose area)
  • Oily/Acne-prone: Your whole face might or might not feel tight BUT sebum production is all over the face/ large pores are visible 
  • Sensitive: You might have itchy, red patches on the face/ Blood vessels are easily visible
  • Aging: Fine lines/wrinkles, sagging large pores, hyperpigmentation etc.
You might have already noticed that I mentioned "skin feeling tight" in most skin types and you must be wondering "Isn't tight a good thing?". What I meant the above is NOT face lifting/wrinkle-free. The feeling of tightness is deep within and not the appearance of tightening effect. And it basically means your skin cells dehydrated and craving for water. So, moisturizing the skin is the key to all of skin types.

2) Using the right skincare

By saying using the right skincare, it means finding the right product. In order to get the right product, you need to know your skin type.
  • Normal/Dry: Focus more on moisturizing the skin 
  • Oily: Sebum-production-controlling products (NOT excessively) +/- exfoliate (remove unwanted dead skin cells)
  • Combination: Zoning care (different skincare catered for the T-zone compared to the dry cheeks)
  • Sensitive: Avoid alcohol-contained products/ Choose hypoallergenic products/ Better if natural ingredient-based products
  • Aging: Anti-aging products that contains AHA/ Retinol etc (Main aim is to remove unwanted dead cells and promote newer skin cells growth) 
Tips: To me, the safest solution to all skin types is to follow the sensitive skin regime +/- what you need extra (eg. anti-aging/sebum control)

Skincare is good before makeup. However, if it's done excessively or unsuitable products, it's just going to ruin the makeup that you put on afterwards. Oil-based products are important for balancing the skin and to provide a canvas on the face to lock-in moisture from the previous skincare steps BUT it can also become a barrier for the makeup to cling on to the skin properly. So, here are a few recommendations that is likely to suit most people: 



a. Avene Thermal Spring Water: a type of mineral water located deep underground known for it's skin soothing, softening and calming properties and is exempt form bacteria and pollution. It's spray head is designed to produce the finest mist for better absorption and optimal hydration for the skin. This calm the skin really well especially if you have redness/rosacea. It can also be use as a refreshing mist throughout the day without affecting your makeup.     [Tips: Spritz a good amount of this product onto a cotton pad and  leave it on the irritated part of the skin for 5-10 minutes. TADAA!!!]
Available at most pharmacies in Malaysia: Watson, Guardian, Caring etc


b. Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb: It's an ultra-lightweight, mineral oil-free gel-cream (more towards water-based) that instantly cools and refreshes skin while providing intensive hydration. Its anti-oxidant-rich lady's mantle will help neutralize skin-damaging free radicals, improves skin elasticity and minimize appearance of pores. The key point here is 'ultra-lightweight', 'gel-cream', 'cools' and 'minimize pore size'. 'Ultra-lightweight' and 'gel-cream' texture is the best pre-makeup moisturizer! Its significance is that it is formulated to absorb quickly by the skin and hence does not interrupt your following step which is makeup. And yes, some people might feel that gel-like texture moisturizer doesn't really do their job in keeping in moisture throughout the day BUT remember this is a gel-cream hybrid! So, it does more than purely gel-textured ones.
[Tips: If you feel that your skin is still feeling dry after first application, try the layering technique which means re-application of the same moisturizer: (1) Use a small amount of the moisturizer about a pea size and apply evenly across the whole face (2) Wait for the product to sink in completely into the skin (3) Re-apply the same moisturizer again and pressed in into the skin with your warmed palms]

Alternative: Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream (Available in-store and Hermo website)

Available in Belif stores (Sunway Pyramid, Midvalley Megamall, IOI City Mall, Suria KLCC, Queensbay Mall Penang, Vivacity Mall Sarawak) and,
Hermo website: https://www.hermo.my/mall/2493-belif-the-true-cream-aqua-bomb-50m




c. Blithe Pressed Serum (Crystal Iceplant & Tundra Chaga) [left to right]
Crystal Iceplant (for calm and cool hydration): suitable for normal, combination, oily skin
Tundra Chaga (for ultimate nutrients and firmness): suitable for normal, dry, aging skin
They serve as an anti-polluaging (pollution-causing aging) serum and mositurizer hybrid, packed with 63% iceplant extract from the Sahara or  60% tundra chaga mushroom extract respectively, provides lasting hydration and nourishment to the skin without heaviness. This type of 2-in-1 product may serve as the best regime as they're highly packed with potent ingredients and save you from layers and layers of skincare before makeup which is most of time not helpful at all. However, these multi-purpose products can be on the pricey side. Considering the cold-pressed technology used to make these products to preserve the original nutrition instead of the commonly used heat-processed, I would say it's definitely worth the price! 

Available online:  Blithe Crystal Iceplant Pressed Serum ; Blithe Tundra Chaga Pressed Serum  (This product is carried by Glow Recipe which ships internationally! 😁)  #kbeauty #glowrecipe #sephora 

There are definitely more new and innovative products in the market. And let's discover them together! (Any recommendations, please comment below 👇) 

3) Cleanse your face (in the right way)

Washing the face does not just mean by cleaning it. It can also act as an exfoliator to remove unwanted dead skin cells so that your makeup sits on your face smoothly, and some cleansers come with nourishing/added effect to the skin. And AGAIN this depends on your skin type as well! There are so many types of cleansers on the market that you can splurge on BUT bear in mind to get the right one for yourself. Washing the face is a MUST-DO daily habit but over-washing the face or using the wrong product can make your skin worse by stripping the water from your skin, breaking the normal skin barrier. 


[Tips: For all skin types EXCEPT Sensitive skin type, use lukewarm water to start off cleansing process (lukewarm water helps open the pores in order for deep cleansing) and end with cool water which will help to minimize the pores]

For men/people with oily skin, dead skin cells tend to be more and may eventually clog the pores causing comedones and acne. Hence, incorporating some gentle exfoliator (physical or chemical) in the cleansing process once/twice weekly can help unclog the pores and prevent acne.

So, here are the three steps on how to prepare the skin for makeup. Do this the right way and we shall continue the real deal in Part II (MAKEUP) 😃

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Cheers,
IncrEdibleYu
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