Skin perfect

A reader asked in a previous post how to apply make-up perfectly.

I don't pretend to know how, but I think the secret really is good, clean skin. Not that it's easily achieved. The formula is proper diet, exercise, and good products that work for you.

Cleansing

A while back, I noted that L'Oreal Continuous Purity worked really well for me. I've stuck with the toner and mositurizer but has since replaced the cleanser with Neutrogena Foaming Deep Cleanser. I started with the regular Deep Cleanser, the one that comes in a bottle with a dispenser. That one contains AHA that didn't work well with my skin. The AHA proved too strong for me, so I switched to the Foaming cleanser. Now, that one has beeswax for oil control. And it was perfect. Of course, it didn't really stop the sebum from creeping up during the day, but my skin was much improved. The cotton ball after toning wasn't that disgustingly black with dirt and soot, which is amazing considering that I take non-aircon public commute. Then again, I now live and work in a rural setting. Still, it was a huge improvement.

So, now that you've established a good cleansing regimen, don't forget to exfoliate. And it doesn't have to be expensive, either. All you need is a face towel and water. In the shower, after you've rinsed off -- shampoo, conditioner, soap, gel, whatever -- and before you dry yourself, take your wet face towel and give yur face a gentle once-over with it. Work around your mouth and all over your neck. And your lips. Just press your lips on the rag and gently slide it left and right, till you don't feel any more of that thin layer of dried skin.

Do this once a day everyday for a few days and adjust pressure where needed. Your skin will look and feel smooth and squeaky clean, and your lips will be a ruddy red. You'll know it's working when you go over your face with your fingertips and those small bumps on your skin easily roll over and produce hard, white beads. This means that the overlay of dead, dull skin cells have been rubbed off, revealing a new layer of fresh cells. I wouldn't be surprised if your pores start looking smaller and refined. After this, you only need to exfoliate twice or three times a week.

Of course, this won't get rid of acne scars. And this won't get you very far on its own. You'll still need proper diet (i.e., less fatty foods and more fiber) and exercise. I've taken up badminton and, although I'm still learning how not to make an ass of myself, I've gotten a good workout each time.

Colors

And then, you should know which colors work for you. If you're a little on the dark side, don't use magenta or blue. Try the terra cotta shades. I love gold on Asian skin! The soft glowing gold, I mean, not the Copa Cabana shade. It looks very natural and it opens up the eyes. If you're the shade of Angelina Jolie, try the soft pinks. Beautiful for everyday, very healthy and glowing, makes you look young and innocent.

Night colors are different, of course, but just the darker shades of what looks good on you. Black is smoldering but you can use plum or eggplant instead, to be less predictable. And silver is good as a liner as it opens up the eyes.

Don't forget shimering white powder under the eyes and just above the cheekbones. This is the magic powder, really. It provides drama and makes you look fresh and professionally made up without making your make-up look heavy.

Tools

Use a different brush or sponge for each color. Don't mix them up. And clean your brushes and sponges regularly. If you wet your tools, air dry them after use. Always observe cleanliness when dealing with your skin, or any part of your body, for that matter.

Perfection

Go easy with make-up. It's supposed to highlight, not to replace, your facial features. It should look natural, effortless, and aesthetically pleasing. Look at fotos of made up faces you find attractive and study why you find them so. And as you study your own face, you'll get to know your assets (which you should accent) and your liabilities (which you should downplay). You must develop an aesthetic sense and that's not as easy as it seems. Observe and know yourself. And practice!