Preparing your face to receive makeup
Many see makeup as something complicated and will shy away from it for fear they may not look exactly perfect when they finish with their looks. This concern is both right and wrong. It is right in that applying makeup takes practice, so one may not achieve perfection the first few times around. However, it is wrong, because perfection is often boring when it comes to makeup application. As people’s knowledge of makeup grows and the techniques begin to change; there are newer methods for makeup application that strive for a more realistic outcome rather than the porcelain perfect looks of Instagram. Not only are those looks hard to maintain on a daily basis, they are also time-consuming and don’t look great after a few hours in the Caribbean sun. The most important aspect of makeup is healthy skin.
Exfoliate
What is often forgotten is that it is essential to remove the dead and flaking skin from the face before anything is applied. Without exfoliation, you’re just adding a layer of makeup to different textures. The best way to avoid this is to start with a clean, smooth slate. Exfoliation is not something that should be done every day, as you will not develop extra dead skin over the course of one day, but perhaps every five days. During the process, avoid ripping and scraping the skin off. Yes, the skin on the top may be dry and flaked; but the skin beneath is sensitive. A cheap, at-home remedy for this is using some baking soda and water in the palm of the hand and very gingerly rubbing the dead skin from your face. This can also be achieved using a soft exfoliation brush in addition to your choice of cleanser. Rinsing with lukewarm (not hot) water helps to remove excess skin without burning the tender skin beneath.
Moisturize
Many respond to this next step with apprehension. The weather is very hot on St. Maarten and the prospect of adding a layer of heat seems to be unnecessary, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Once you remove a layer of skin from your face, you should replace it with some sort of moisture. Find products made to add extra moisture without coating your skin and creating that icky layer of grease. It is suggested you apply the moisturizer with one finger on the four quadrants of your face directly on wet skin. Use your damp fingers to very gently spread the product around to create an even coating on your face. Depending on the choice of moisturizer, it’s possible to add a bit more. Finally, use a fresh towel to pat your face dry, do not rub or scrape at your face. Allow your face to cool and the moisturizer to evaporate.
After these two steps, your face will be ready for the makeup or to be bare for the rest of the day. It will feel healthier and smoother.
