The Secret to Great Skin and Hair
Suza Scalora
Suza Scalora
"I’m having an oil crisis on my face."
Cleansing Rx: When the seasons change, it can seem like your skin has multiple personalities (dry one day, oily the next). Interestingly, your skin doesn’t actually pump out more oil this time of year, but the oil on your face becomes more fluid so you see and feel it more, says Leslie Baumann, MD, a dermatologist in Miami Beach, Florida. "If you were using a milky or creamy cleanser all winter, now’s the time to switch to a foaming or gel-based wash—something that has a bit of oil control to it," Dr. Baumann says. One to try: Benefit Foamingly Clean Facial Wash ($21; benefitcosmetics.com).
Overdo the cleansing, though, and you could end up stripping healthy fatty acids that protect the skin’s surface. A good guideline: If you’re very oily, use an oil-controlling wash twice a day. But if you’re only somewhat oily, switch to a foaming wash in the morning (to curb daytime shine), and use your creamy cleanser at night (to keep your skin soft).
"My hair looks flat and dull."
Cleansing Rx: Winter may be history, but its effects can linger. "Dry heat can mess with your scalp, leaving you with buildup and lifeless hair," says Jeannette Graf, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City. To find out if residue is wrecking your locks, rub one of your fingernails against your scalp. If you find greasy or waxy residue, your hair may be weighed down by emollients from conditioners and stylers and/or a buildup of dry skin.
Give your strands a boost by switching up your routine. Once a month, lift impurities from roots to tips with Redken Nature Rescue Refining Sea Polish ($19; redken.com), a pumice-enriched exfoliator that restores shine. Apply it to clean strands so it (gently!) scrubs your hair’s surface. Leave it on for a minute, then rinse.
Once a week, wash with a clarifying shampoo (the cleaner your hair, the better your blow-dry will look). We like John Frieda Luxurious Volume Clarifying Shampoo ($7; drugstores). Finally, consider switching up your go-to shampoo and conditioner. "Over time, hair does become immune to products," says Alan Gold, creative director of The Haig & Co. Salon in Philadelphia. A change can make your strands look shinier and healthier.Fuente: Health.com Guide to Beauty
kin-Care Essentials: Cleansers
Your Skincare Regimen
- Never hit the sack without cleansing—snoozing with makeup on can clog pores and cause premature aging and breakouts. Use warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores, then apply a dime-size amount of cleanser to the skin. Gently massage away residue and rinse with cool or lukewarm water. Be sure to remove eye makeup with a proper remover. And baby oil does not count—it leaves behind an oily residue that can affect your vision with time. Choose a cleanser that is appropriate for your particular skin type. Milky, cream cleansers are best for dry skin, while gel formulas work with oily complexions. Tip for oily gals: Use an alcohol-free toner after cleansing to remove excess oils.
Healthy Hair Essentials: Is your hair dry and brittle?
How to Care for Your Hair Type
- Hair not behaving properly? Transform you difficult-to-manage unruly strands into healthy, shiny locks with this DIY hair-care guide. Finally, you can get rid of that multi-purpose Fedora and display your crowning glory with pride.
- ver-processed hair can become dry, damaged, and just plain ugly. Combat
styling abuse and revive your traumatized locks with these helpful tips.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Run deep conditioner through straw-like tips and leave on for several minutes. The product will absorb into your hair shaft and soften strands. Repeat process once a week. Also get into the habit of applying a daily conditioner to hair ends every time you shampoo. This will reduce split ends, discoloration, and heat damage.
• Treat yourself to a massage! Kneading the scalp as you shampoo will increase circulation and stimulate oil glands. Steer clear of products with a high alcohol content; they can be drying.
• Avoid too-tight hairstyles—like ponytails, buns, and braids. Gentle elastic bands and other ouch-less hair accessories will also help prevent breakage.
• Be gentle. Moist tresses are extra vulnerable to breakage, so resist the urge to twist, rub, and brush wet hair. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle. The result: damage-free locks.
• Prep hair for styling. Apply a thermal/UV protectant serum to tresses to protect hair from heat and sun damage. Can’t limit your time under the blow dryer? Turn down the heat. Lowering temperatures on styling tools prevents over-drying and frizz.
• Get scissor happy! Trim off split ends every six to eight weeks.
Makeup Basics: Eyes Basics
Make Your Makeup Work Every Occasion
- Praying for an answer to puffy eyes? Fake eight hours of sleep with wide-awake eye makeup tricks.
• Start with a de-puffing eye gel—a daily dab will make a difference. Apply under the eyes and blend gently. Let it fully absorb and then use a concealer. Be sure to use a shade lighter than your foundation, preferably with a yellow undertone. It will work wonders on purple- and blue-tinted bags.
• Get you curl on! Use an eyelash curler to make your specs open wide. Follow up with two coats of mascara—be sure to wiggle the wand from side to side as you apply. Need to fight the clump? Rub the mascara brush on a tissue before coating lashes. Some eye brightening don’ts: Skip mascara on bottom eyelashes—it will help draw attention away from the bags. And avoid blue and purple eye shadow—they accentuate dark circles.
• Highlight! Use light-colored (think gold or champagne) or shimmery eyeliner in the corner of your eyes closest to your nose to make them appear even wider.
Fashion Essentials
Build the Best Wardrobe for Your Body
- Staring at a closet full of clothes but have NOTHING TO WEAR? Just a few
wardrobe basics can transform your closet from drab to fab. Learn when
to say no to the latest fashion trend and what works best for your body
with this outfit guide.
• Stretch your clothing budget with pieces you can wear year-round. Investing in classic pieces that fit your lifestyle and climate is essential. Outfit staples like a cashmere sweater, jeans, trousers, and a blazer are super versatile—they can be worn to the office or for an evening out. Hint: Look for pieces with textured materials like silk and velvet. It will add interest to a monochromatic look.
• Take the time to purchase great, well-fitting undergarments. They can make or break an outfit, especially bras! Back fat and the droopy boob effect are never flattering. So go for a professional fitting. Larger stores and chain stores that sell lingerie can usually accommodate this request. Remember, measure for both cup size and band size. Also consider investing in some shapewear. These body slimmers can instantly cinch your waist, flatten your tummy, and shape every jiggly bit, from your breasts to your butt.
• Don’t feel pressure to buy something because it’s trendy. Do you want to make sure the pieces you buy work for your body type, age, and lifestyle. If the answer is yes, then go for it. Otherwise, put the hanger back on the rack and walk away. Sun-Protection Essentials: Which Sunscreen Should I Choose?
Sunscreen for a Healthy, Natural
- Afraid to wake up one day to a reflection of wrinkles, brown spots, and leathery skin? It’s time to get sun smart! This skin-care guide will give you the dos and don’ts of sun protection whether you’re hitting the slopes or surfing the waves. Just make us one promise—you’ll stay away from tanning beds!
- • Narrow down the field—go for a broad-spectrum (protects against both
UVB and UVA), water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
• Daily moisturizer already has an SPF of 15 or greater—is that enough protection? This works but only for everyday activities with only a few minutes of sun exposure throughout the day.
• Spending extra time outdoors? Four-plus hours of sun exposure requires an SPF of 30 or higher. Just remember. Though sunscreens come with a sun-protection factor of 45, 60, 70, and even 100, no amount of SPF will fully protect you from the sun.
• Physical versus chemical. What’s the difference? Physical sunscreens protect skin from the sun by blocking the sun’s rays, while chemical sunscreens absorb the sun’s rays.
• Have sensitive skin? Stick to physical sunscreens. They work best on all skin types and are less likely to irritate. Downfall—they leave a white cast after application and don’t offer as much UVA protection as chemical sunscreens.
• When it comes to your face, buy a product you love. Choose a noncomedogenic formula just for the face. It won’t clog pores, absorbs well, and looks good under makeup. Remember, the nicer the product, the more likely you are to use it.
• How about makeup? Does it offer enough sun protection? Absolutely not. The application process is different, often foundation is just used to spot treat redness or uneven skin tone, and isn’t applied to the whole face.
