It is far-fetched to say that beauty requires sacrifices, but it definitely demands discipline. If you want to get the best results from skin care and nail care, you have to establish routines and follow them strictly. Here are the most effective routines described in detail.
The Ideal Skin Care Routine
The reality is that your face is exposed to the adverse effects of the environment every day so you cannot afford to have breaks from caring for it. Here is the optimal daily routine to follow:
Step 1: Wash your face after you wake up in the morning. It has certainly not accumulated dirt during the night, but it has produced sebum which blocks the pores and has to be removed. Use lukewarm water . You can also use a specially formulated cleanser or a soap with oil in it depending on your skin type and specific needs.
Step 2: Apply moisturizer to your face right after blotting any excess water or cleanser. It is important to apply the product on slightly damp skin. The ideal moisturizer offers deep and lasting hydration while being perfectly light. It provides protection from the UVA and UVB rays of the sun too. It is best to go for a product with SPF 30 or higher. Use matching products for the face and eye area for best results.
Step 3: Apply makeup after the moisturizer has got fully absorbed into the skin. If you use a light formula this should happen fairly quickly. Try to use makeup which does not block the pores even if you have dry skin. Avoid applying too much foundation. It is best to spread it with soft sponge applicator.
Step 4: Remove makeup from your face before you go to bed. Use a gentle yet sufficiently potent makeup remover. Clean your face with your cleanser or with soap. Agan, blot excess water instead of rubbing your skin with the towel.
Step 5: Apply night cream and a suitable eye product. The choice of night cream and matching eye treatment depends on your skin type, age and any particular problems that you want to deal with. If you have acne, for instance, you can use a cream which dries pimples. If you want to reduce wrinkles, you can apply a retinoid-based cream.
You should add two extra steps to this routine once a week between Steps 4 and 5. Here they are:
Extra Step 1: After you remove your makeup and wash your face in the evening, have a steam treatment for opening the pores. Boil some distilled water, pour it in a teapot and let your face soak the steam for five to ten minutes. Cover your head with a towel for best results. You can add a few drops of essential oil into the water or fresh herbs, if you wish.
Extra Step 2: Apply an exfoliating and nurturing mask to your face. It must be formulated for your skin type and age. Follow the instructions for application and removal strictly. Remember not to cover the area around the eyes. The mask will remove the dead skin cells and stimulate the skin to produce more collagen and elastin. This will give you the smoothness, plumpness and softness which you require. After you remove the mask, you can apply your night cream.
The Perfect Nail Care Routine
It is up to you to decide how frequently you will follow the routine presented below. You can do it once every week or once every two weeks.
Step 1: Exfoliate the skin around the nails including the cuticles. This will give you the softness and refined looks that you require. You can use a specially designed product or simply cut a grape in half and dip it into some sugar.
Step 2: Soak your fingers in warm, but not hot water until your nails get soft. It usually takes around ten to fifteen minutes, but more time is needed in some cases. It is possible to skip this step if you plan to do the following ones after taking a shower or a bath.
Step 3: Massage a little bit of hydrating and nourishing oil into the skin around the fingernails and to the cuticles. This will help for further softening of the skin and for further improvement of its looks too. Do not miss to wipe excess oil.
Step 4: Push the cuticles in the direction of the nail base using a specially designed rounded metal pusher or an orange stick, which is sharper. The choice of tool depends on how soft your cuticles are and on how skilled you are at the task. Most beginners find the use of an orange stick easier.
Step 5: Trim your nails with sharp scissors. Cut the pointier middle section straight and then make curves around the edges. It is up to you to decide on the depth of the trimming. In general, it is always best to leave some more of the nail so that you have room for shaping.
Step 6: Shape your fingernails in the way which you desire with the use of a file. It is up to you to decide on a file depending on how hard you want it to be. In general, the models with combining different grits will give you maximum flexibility. The glass files give you the greatest room for creativity and allow for maximum precision while being hygienic and easy to maintain. Start filing from one edge to the other and go only in forward direction.
The following steps are optional depending on whether you want to wear nail polish or not.
Step 7: Apply nail hardener if you have brittle nails or nail foundation to make the surface perfectly smooth for the next step.
Step 8: Apply nail polish in as many layers as you deem fit. Usually, two layers are more than sufficient. Start by making one swipe over the central area of the nail and then one swipe on each side. You can apply a special top coat for extra shine if you wish.
Step 9: Allow the nail polish to dry. Avoid using your hands in the meantime.