As the Valley approaches its season of scorching sunlight, shorts, tank tops and dresses replace winter's sweaters and jeans. What's the best accessory for your summer wardrobe? Healthy, glowing skin.
There are many ways to get a natural shimmer, however it takes both work and time. While you’re waiting for results, properly applied makeup can also give you a great glow. Here are some tips to help you achieve both:
To Get the Natural Glow
Drink water. Your mom was right — keeping hydrated actually does give you a clearer complexion, says Martha Hoffman, director of aesthetics education at the International Academy of Hair Design and Aesthetics.
Eat berries and veggies. Strawberries, blueberries and cranberries are good sources of antioxidants, which keep skin looking young and beautiful, Hoffman says. Fresh veggies maintain tissues and cells in the skin. Thus, healthful diets lead to healthy, vibrant skin.
No smoking, no drinking alcohol and no using recreational drugs. Though this tip may come as an unwanted surprise to some, it's one of the most important rules to follow. These bad habits not only take oxygen from the skin, but they also rid the body of vitamin C and lead to wrinkles and lines. Think about it — is experimenting with drugs, knocking back a few beers and smoking a pack a day worth resembling a great-great grandparent at 25?
Protect skin from the sun. This may seem nearly impossible when living in the desert, but ritually applying sunblock with an SPF between 15 and 30 makes protection conceivable and easy.
Maintainability is Key
Wash your face day and night. A clean face is crucial for glowing skin. Make it a part of your daily routine to cleanse your face, especially after sweating, to avoid unattractive blackheads. In addition to washing, wiping your face with rubbing alcohol provides a deeper cleanse, as long as you don't have sensitive skin.
Remove your makeup. Most people know they shouldn’t sleep with old makeup, but they do it anyway. Remember to remove makeup before you go to bed.
Read labels. Many companies specify on their labels which skin type their product works best for. Hoffman recommends people with dry skin use milky products for more moisture and people with oily skin use gel products to dry up oils.
Exfoliate skin. Hoffman says to exfoliate three times a week to get a healthy look. The easiest way to exfoliate at home is to use scrubs that are appropriate for your skin type. St. Ives apricot scrubs are great for exfoliation and vary for different skin types.
Moisturize skin. Regardless of skin type, moisturizing your face guarantees a glowing complexion. Don’t forget to add sunblock on top.
To Glow with Makeup
Apply foundation with fingers. In a 2002 issue of Shape magazine, Jim Crawford, a renowned celebrity makeup artist, says applying foundation with fingers gives a natural look because “the heat from your fingers will warm the makeup, making it more blendable.”
Don’t go foundation crazy. If you already have an even skin tone, don’t bother with foundation. Instead lightly powder your face.
Keep cheeks rosy. A little blush gives you a natural radiance. If you aren’t sure how red or pink your blush should be, L‘Oréal True Match products pinpoint which shade works best for skin colors.
Use shimmery eye shadow. Soft pinks, roses, golds and bronzes work best. Crawford says after applying eye shadow “use the blush that you used on your cheeks, and swipe it under the brows to balance eyes and cheeks.”
Aim for luscious lips. Don’t stray away from your natural lip color. Use a clear lip gloss or one that’s close to your natural lip color.
Reach the reporter at asharri4@asu.edu.
