Are there certain things in your wardrobe that you return to time and again for special occasions? Maybe a dress, suit, or pair of heels? Things that make you feel good and can be mixed and matched with practically anything else you own. But have you ever given the same attention to your make up bag? Instead of spending a small fortune on the current season ‘must-haves’ take a look at the foundation of your beauty routine and give some consideration to investing in the following which will see you through every season:
1. CLEANSER
Like putting on your knickers in the morning, you should not do anything until you have cleansed! Yes, you might argue that you washed your face the night before, but twice a day is essential for cleansing. Your face spends about 8 hours each night snuggled into a pillow. Have you noticed how much dust gets around your house in th average week? What has stopped that dust from landing on your pillow? And I am not even going to mention dust mites! Washing in the morning is as necessary as washing at the end of the day, to remove the days grime and makeup. And although you can use make up wipes for this, I should point out the baby wipes do not do the same job. They were designed to remove a different kind of grime from the delicate parts of a baby after all! And soap was not invented for washing faces. And where underwear comes in different shapes and sizes, so do cleansers. Is your skin dry, oily, combination or blemish prone?
Mary Kay suggestion depending on your skin type and age: Velocity Facial cleanser, gentle cleansing cream, creamy cleanser, deep cleanser, clarifying cleanser for acne-prone skin, Time wise 3in 1 cleanser. From £12.
2. MOISTURISER
Once you have put on your knickers, a well fitted bra comes next, as it needs to support everything else put on top of it. Even those with oily or blemish prone skin should invest in the right moisturiser. Pair it up with your cleanser so that the ingredients in both are doing the same job. It’s like having a balanced diet for your skin. Stop buying cleanser from one manufacturer and moisturiser from another. Match them as you would match your underwear. And if you don’t know which is best for you, arrange a ‘free fitting’. Mary Kay consultants have a try before you buy policy, and will recommend a balance for the best fit.
Mary Kay recommendation might include: Velocity moisturiser, Timewise moisturiser, enriched moisturiser or balancing moisturiser (from £16.50), possibly teamed with intense moisturising cream or oil-free hydrating gel or extra hydration.
3. COVER AND CONCEAL
Maybe you don’t need it very often, but your concealer is like your ‘spanx’ – for days when you need to hide unsightly bumps! Applied before your foundation, your concealer covers minor imperfections and provides a solid base for your make up ‘outfit’. And the look is further enhanced with a good primer, which acts as an invisible buffer to fill in imperfections and act as a magnet for your foundation.
Mary Kay suggests: Mary Kay concealer in 6 shades – £7.50 Foundation Primer £14.00
4. FOUNDATION
Like a well cut jacket, you need a perfect fit and colour for your face – so invest wisely. Make sure that the colour is correct for your skin tone, and remember that this changes throughout the year – you will probably need a darker shade for the summer months. Consider the texture that is right for your skin and your life style. Maybe a matte finish if you need extra oil control, or a mineral powder foundation if you like your skin to feel ‘un made up’. Or combine the benefits of both with creme-to-powder foundations.
Mary Kay offers: Timewise matte-wear or luminous-wear liquid foundation (£16), Mineral power foundation (£14.50) and Creme-to-powder (£12.50)
5. MASCARA
Girls love dressing up – especially when it comes to dressing their lashes. Your lashes draw attention to the eye area. If you are brave enough, pair the use of mascara with the use of an eyelash curler to boost your lash look. When shopping for mascara pay attention to the brush that you will be using to apply it – it can make a big difference to the look and avoidance of ‘clumps’. So which type of ‘coat’ will it be?
Try these for size: Mary Kay Lash Love to define, defend and deliver volume (£16), Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara for longer looking lashed that lasts all day (£14) or Mary Kay Lash Lengthening mascara fortified with a vitamin B derivative for stronger looking lashes (£12).
6. LIPSTICK
The ‘high heeled shoes’ of your make up bag! To give some instant glamour and pull your look together. Whilst I may suggest a good shade of red for some of my customers, not everyone feels comfortable with that level of intensity. Choose satin and matte formulas for daytime at the office, but my recommendation is always to add a coordinating gloss over the top when touching up for evening wear. Or wear the gloss on its own for an easy to apply daytime option when you want to look more relaxed. And for the finishing touch, don’t forget the lip liner for definition.
Mary Kay offers: Long wearing creme lipstick with a lightweight creamy texture for maximum colour impact. In 26 shades (£12), Nourishine lip gloss fortified with vitamins A & E in 10 shades (£9), co-ordinating lip liner in 9 shades (£10).
Whether you have a cosmetics ‘wardrobe’ that is bulging at the seams, yet still ‘have nothing to wear’ or you would be an ideal candidate for ‘What Not To Wear’, a Mary Kay Consultant is trained to help ‘iron’ out your expensive mistakes. We teach women to customise their look and their skin care routine. Why not contact me on [email protected] or your local consultant (find her at www.marykay.co.uk) Our services are always complimentary – your Personal Shopper!
You can find any of the products mentioned above on my website, and buy them all online with 100% Money-back guarantee.
View the current range in our E-catalogue.
Amanda
