Keeping up appearances

[MastersDelight]

Sooooooooooo there's been a lot of beauty discussions on other threads and it's piqued my interest. Lets see if this takes off.....

Have a favorite facial scrub? Share it here! Miracle hair care product? Lay it on us! New bath bomb the bomb? Where'd you get it!?

I'm a major tomboy. I don't wear make up. I can never make it look right, it's expensive, and it makes me feel... Strange? I wash my face in the shower with plain soap and water. My shampoo and body wash are the cheapest ones I can find when I run out. I don't paint my nails because I'm bad at it. The only time I have polish on is if I go to the nail salon, which I've done about 5 times in my life so not often.

I've gotten girly-er as I've gotten older. I really wish I could do more with my face. My skin is a little sensitive, so I shy away from most products. My face gets dry after a shower, in the winter I really have to use some kind of moisturizer daily. I have some black heads on my nose when I look really closely and I'd like to shrink my pores. So I guess I'm looking to see if anyone could tell me what to do and in what order. Any natural suggestions?

 

[MeekMe]

( ^ω^ )

I used to be very... Not feminine. I liked feminine things but my environment made it very difficult to openly enjoy it. So, I was a lot more of a tomboy.

Makeup can be affordable. YouTube has great makeup tutorials and lots of reviews for different products. I purchase a Korean BB cream for my foundation and it works nicely. I haven't found anything else that I like yet. There are lots of affordable drugstore options when it comes to makeup, it's a matter of finding what works for you. Lots of makeup counters will have staff that can help you choose product and also show you how to apply it if you need help.

YouTube worked for me.

As for your pores, you can't shrink them. Pore size is determined genetically. If they're plugged up they can be stretched out, and in that case you can clean the plugs (hardened sebum) and temporarily change the appearance of your pores. If clean, they probably will appear smaller and actually go back to their normal size. A lot of people recommend steaming your face to help clean pores, but this has never worked for me. I like the oil cleansing method, that seems to have been very good for my skin. Though I don't do this often, just once in awhile.

I'm not an expert at any of this... Here's a thread you might be interested in.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[LucyBee01]

Hi! Mostly signing onto this thread to learn stuff : )

I only do very basic make up, but would like to be able to do a little more on occasion.

Re cleaning moisturising your face - well, I have fairly sensitive and combination skin. I have found a tea tree facial wash effective and not clogging.

For moisturising I recently discovered that using a face serum, followed by a good moisturiser, so much more effective in leaving my face actually feel moisturised, rather than just using a moisturiser on its own.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[NoeMasks]

I forgot to say some thing.

Everyone should be using facial suncreen every day ( unless there is a specific reason not to like a vit d deficiency) . , even if it's only in a product, but it's better if its a standalone I think.

Moisturizer wait 15min then sunblock.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[NoeMasks]

Skin care men rock!

g moisturises and goes to the gym, and looks much younger than lots of our peers I think.

Thank You, used to be a Theater Geek, Pancake Make-up, plays hell with your skin, so I learned the moisturizer trick from an old hand.

 

[MastersDelight]

Wow! Ok you all know waaaaay more than I do...

( ^ω^ )

I used to be very... Not feminine. I liked feminine things but my environment made it very difficult to openly enjoy it. So, I was a lot more of a tomboy.

Makeup can be affordable. YouTube has great makeup tutorials and lots of reviews for different products. I purchase a Korean BB cream for my foundation and it works nicely. I haven't found anything else that I like yet. There are lots of affordable drugstore options when it comes to makeup, it's a matter of finding what works for you. Lots of makeup counters will have staff that can help you choose product and also show you how to apply it if you need help.

YouTube worked for me.

As for your pores, you can't shrink them. Pore size is determined genetically. If they're plugged up they can be stretched out, and in that case you can clean the plugs (hardened sebum) and temporarily change the appearance of your pores. If clean, they probably will appear smaller and actually go back to their normal size. A lot of people recommend steaming your face to help clean pores, but this has never worked for me. I like the oil cleansing method, that seems to have been very good for my skin. Though I don't do this often, just once in awhile.

I'm not an expert at any of this... Here's a thread you might be interested in.

I'm not looking to start using make up really, maybe mascara and eyeliner on occasion. Foundation just feels... Heavy, and it never looks right, and I always forget and touch my face then freak out that I might have messed it up lol. And I'm always afraid its going to make me break out.

What's the oil cleansing method? I bought myself some cheap blackhead removal strips to try tomorrow when the kids are napping.

Re shampoo, I don't use it. Well, hardly ever. It usually only gets shampooed at the hairdressers. I go there every six to eight weeks ish, so...that's when it gets shampood. It suits my hair type. It sounds disgusting, but I condition it instead of using shampoo, which keeps it clean and fresh, and fragrant. After its shampood its really grumpy for a little while. .

Sensitive skin....agh, it's dreadful isn't it? Lots of inexpensive and simple things really aggravate as much as complicated expensive things. When I started having skin problems I was plastering my burning face with a very basic moisturiser, until I realised that was aggravating it . I really love and recommend both Aveeno and Avene for sensitive and leaning to dry skin. They aren't fancy scented, or overly girly, ( afterall they are unisex products) but they leave skin natural and robust.

I also love a product I recommended to some here that is not so cheap but is a life saver for sore sensitive skin. It's made in uk, and it's called Healgel. It was developed by doctors for quick healing, and now there is a small antiaging range I haven't tried. The Healgel for 'trouble', I think it's called intensive, is amazing though. It is better than any meds for my rosacea, useful for burns, spots, grazes...anything.

Then maybe some rose water to tone and the right strength of moisturiser for your skin/ time of year. The range I am using atm discourages lots of moisturiser and it feels really odd, as I am from the school of moisturisation! I only moisturise am right now, but use retinol at night. I think you are too young to need this

I shampoo every other day, otherwise my hair gets greasy looking, I hate it.
I'll have to try the cheaper options you mentioned, although the expensive stuff looks nice. I have a bit of rosatia to my cheeks, so I'm a little leery of what I use, it's also the area that seems to get dry, that and my forehead, you know, since its the size of a billboard
Never heard of using rose water for skin... Learn something new.

Btw, my hair, which I normally manage well, has been having a fit for a while. It's super dry and unhappy. I did actually shampoo it this week in desperation. . It just made it worse.

Mine is usually extra fluffy after, but it calms down after an hour or so. There's a lot of sleeking products I've seen, but they make me look greasy and I already mentioned how that bothers me lol.

Hi! Mostly signing onto this thread to learn stuff : )

I only do very basic make up, but would like to be able to do a little more on occasion.

Re cleaning moisturising your face - well, I have fairly sensitive and combination skin. I have found a tea tree facial wash effective and not clogging.

For moisturising I recently discovered that using a face serum, followed by a good moisturiser, so much more effective in leaving my face actually feel moisturised, rather than just using a moisturiser on its own.

Tea tree facial huh? *googles*


Ok so here's my dumb question of the day...

What do I do? Like, what order? No one has mentioned exfoliation. Is that something to help with dry skin too?

 

[NoeMasks]

Hi! Mostly signing onto this thread to learn stuff : )

I only do very basic make up, but would like to be able to do a little more on occasion.

Re cleaning moisturising your face - well, I have fairly sensitive and combination skin. I have found a tea tree facial wash effective and not clogging.

For moisturising I recently discovered that using a face serum, followed by a good moisturiser, so much more effective in leaving my face actually feel moisturised, rather than just using a moisturiser on its own.

Hmmmmmmm research time.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[MastersDelight]

I would NOT exfoliate with the rosacea. It's so sensitive and aggravating is only going to make it worse. I'd also be very wary of brands. The 'dry ness' is also a risk.. Seriously, I would recommend Aveeno or Avene. Avene is a French brand, over the counter that some dermatologists on the continent recommend for those not wanting to spend big money, and they have 'anti redness stuff'

Heal gel is more expensive so probably not a priority for your budget right now, but. Something to think about for the future. Once you find stuff your skin likes, I would not mess about till it's not reacting with rosacea THEN start trying things one change at a time if you want to explore. Also, you can say at skin counters.. ' I have rosacea, so I'd like to try a sample of that before commiting in case my skin reacts' and most companies comply, even stingy ones


Order...cleans, tone, moisturise, sun cream. If you serum it's under the moisturiser.


If you do not want foundation, but want something, you could try a BB cream.

My normal day make up takes me less than seven minutes certainly, and I do not rush I feel much better with it on . My skin care takes longer ( because of time between layers ).

* sigh * tone?

A lot of products I see has some sort of spf to them, especially the moisturizers.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[MastersDelight]

The rose water. ( or what ever you use
) but with Rosacea you need to keep it gentle but effective. Gentle because you skin is sensitive and must not be damaged because
( effective) there is a school of thought it might be partly bacterial. Allowing the skin to damage and get dry / crack lets it get in to a vicious circle.


The toner bit helps your cleaned pores look smaller than they are. I put it only on my t zone, I notice the difference.

Ok. (at least I know the t zone lol )

 

[cookiecat]

Agree with MeekMe - there are a zillion youtube 'how to" videos. Been looking at "mature" hair / makeup stuff.

I've tried a few things - I'm in the "fail" stages... I can't quite figure out how to use a brush and a blow dryer at the same time (it's the first time I've thought about a blow dryer in years but I think it's time) but I'll keep on trying!!

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[MastersDelight]

I'm doing evening skin now.....washed, splashes with cold water....have toned...letting toner dry...then for me a hideously expensive skin routine with numbers so I get the order right of prescription strength retin a and skin stuff....but no moisturiser until the morning. . I really miss moisturise, because it feels so unatural after these decades of training to moisturise, lol.

I don't really have a routine....i wash my face in the shower, I usually shower every other day (children permitting). I apply moisturizer if I'm dry, haven't had to since June I think. In the winter I usually moisturize twice a day to keep from looking scaly but that's it.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[NoeMasks]

Agree with MeekMe - there are a zillion youtube 'how to" videos. Been looking at "mature" hair / makeup stuff.

I've tried a few things - I'm in the "fail" stages... I can't quite figure out how to use a brush and a blow dryer at the same time (it's the first time I've thought about a blow dryer in years but I think it's time) but I'll keep on trying!!

Do not forget, if your hair is completely dry, you can use the intake side, and the pull of the fan will keep your hair together.

 

[MeekMe]

I'm currently struggling to keep both eyes open so I'll try to be coherent and if not I'll come back tomorrow and try to fix anything ridiculous I'm probably about to say.

I'm not looking to start using make up really, maybe mascara and eyeliner on occasion. Foundation just feels... Heavy, and it never looks right, and I always forget and touch my face then freak out that I might have messed it up lol. And I'm always afraid its going to make me break out.

σ^_^; My mistake, you seemed interested so I offered up what I did. YouTube was really helpful for makeup tutorials. Foundation can be pretty intimidating and I found a lot of formulas don't work with me. Or in the humidity . I don't wear it everyday and instead opt to try and keep my skin healthy looking enough to not need it. I'm a fan of lipgloss and mascara only days. I need mascara because my eyelashes are blonde.

What's the oil cleansing method? I bought myself some cheap blackhead removal strips to try tomorrow when the kids are napping.

Oil cleansing is pretty involved and I just don't do it everyday. Sometimes I do it once in awhile because the massage feels good and after my face feels so good. Link. Take the "down with the beauty industry" stuff with a grain of salt.

I do use oil to take my eye makeup off, especially really dark eye makeup. It does a great job of removing even the toughest waterproof stuff.

I shampoo every other day, otherwise my hair gets greasy looking, I hate it.
I'll have to try the cheaper options you mentioned, although the expensive stuff looks nice. I have a bit of rosatia to my cheeks, so I'm a little leery of what I use, it's also the area that seems to get dry, that and my forehead, you know, since its the size of a billboard
Never heard of using rose water for skin... Learn something new.

Rose water is pretty wonderful. I keep a little spritz bottle in the refrigerator so that on hot days I can spray my face for a refreshing feeling. I live in Florida so it's hot and humid most of the year.

Tea tree facial huh? *googles*


Ok so here's my dumb question of the day...

What do I do? Like, what order? No one has mentioned exfoliation. Is that something to help with dry skin too?

I don't recommend tea tree oil for sensitive skin. I use the essential oil for spot treatments, but I'm not super sensitive and I don't have dry skin (I'm normal/oily).

If your routine is simple and it mostly works, stick to it and just add something here or there. I wash my face with black soap and use a serum with or without moisturizer. The serum I use leaves my skin balanced so sometimes adding the mousturizer in summer time is just over kill. I moisturizer more in winter time when it's less humid. I use witch hazel for toner when I'm not being lazy.

Exfoliating is good for taking off buildup on your skin. It can help unclog pores but it's not something to do daily. Once or twice a week or biweekly is fine.

I'm sure there's more I have to say I'm just kind of nodding off and... Sunscreen, must remember sunscreen.

 

[_Necrosomantic_]

... I Only Wash My Face With The Blood Of My Fallen Enemies And The Ashes Of Their Hopes And Dreams, Right After I Finish Chopping Down Like 4,000 Cherry Trees To Build A Three Story House With My Bare Hands. Because I Am A Fucking Man!!!

 

[Farawyn]

Hi Ladies...

I'm very low maintenance. Back in my heavy metal chick/CBGB days I was Aqua Net Blue Can and pounds of black eyeliner, blah de blah.

Right now my eyes and nose are in my profile. Clearly, I am a sweaty mess!
I think I was actually out with GFs that night, so you can see how much attention I pay.

I think a lot has to do with my state of mind. I've been sad for so long, there are some days I don't even look in the mirror. I've only recently began taking pics here on lit.

I wash with Oil of Olay sensitive skin scrub. I have mild rosacea, and big pores. I have freckles, so they blend, lol!

Body, I use Dove soap and I do use that Apricot Scrub crap. I tried to scrub until I bled last night and it did not make my rage any better, in fact I developed some towards the one who suggested it!

My elbows are dry.

I wash my hair every single day. I condition and use leave in conditioner. I rarely blow dry, but I do color my hair- my natural color.

My main luxury is manis and pedis. LOVE THEM> as an RN I wash my hands a billion times a day. I keep my nails short but I get polish. Right now I have royal purple blue with 3 glitter nails and light blue toes.

It's my main indulgence.

 

[Farawyn]

... I Only Wash My Face With The Blood Of My Fallen Enemies And The Ashes Of Their Hopes And Dreams, Right After I Finish Chopping Down Like 4,000 Cherry Trees To Build A Three Story House With My Bare Hands. Because I Am A Fucking Man!!!

Ah Mah Gah...

*swoons. hard.*


LOL -"like" 4,000 Cherry Trees.

 

[CutieMouse]

Hair - I shower every night, but only wash my hair (max) 3x a week. There's too much of it (lots of hair, plus it's thick) to mess with more often than that. I might (maybe) brush it once a week, but try not to, and only blow dry in an emergency (once every few months). I use a nourishing/strengthening shampoo & leave in conditioner and get a trim every 3-6 months.

Face - oil cleansing method at night; splash of tepid water/pat dry in the morning. I don't use any soaps, lotions, toners, serums or moisturizers on my face. I might do a green clay masque once a month (if I remember).

(Oil cleansing method - I mix 2/3 olive oil with 1/3 castor oil in a small bottle & add 2 drops lavender oil. Shake to mix. When I wash my face a dime size amount of oil gets warned in my hands, massaged into my face for 1-2 minutes, then wiped off with a hot, wet washcloth, followed by a cool washcloth.)

Body - I mix up my own body scrubs when inspired, do foot soaks (epsomsalts, apple cider vinegar & essential oils) twice a week, and try to make time for a detox bath once a week (Epsom salts, baking soda, Apple cider vinegar, green clay & essential oils), but it's not a big deal if I miss it. Day to day washing is whatever good soap I stumble across. If I can't find anything else I like the smell of, I use Dr. Bronner's castile soap.

I do splurge on H&B stuff, but in economical ways. I keep good olive & coconut oil in the house, plus a solid supply of essential oils so I can whip up my own spa stuff without too much fuss. My biggest splurge this year was a really nice double-edge safety razor + blades.