Hello my wonderful snowman (& snow-women?)
Today's blog post isn't about what I ate for dinner or what movie I just watched.. It's about a highly requested topic from both my YouTube viewers and blog readers:
"Miranda, how do you keep your skin so absolutely flawless?"
My response?
"YOU REALLY THINK MY SKIN IS FLAWLESSS?!?!? I LOVE YOU!!! MUACKS!"
Of course, my skin isn't flawless. It is NOWHERE NEAR flawless.
However, I do think my skin is considered 'not bad' because I rarely suffer from acne or have any redness around my nose.
What's my secret?
Well, my whole family is somewhat good skin. So I feel that genetics play a part in this.
Nevertheless, basic skincare is extremely important. You can be born with amazing skin but if you do not take care of it, it'll just eventually deteriorate.
Look at it like this:
A new iPhone may be amazing but if you throw it around and slam it against the wall (I hope no one does that *gasp*), it'll spoil and it's screen will be all cracked and dirty.... *criesss*
(Bottom line is..)
Take care of your skin.
"But... How?"
Today's post is going to teach you how to achieve a clear complexion!
(Excited??? Let's get started!)
1. Cleansing
Here we are going back to the real basics.
I can't express how important cleansing your face is. Be it if you are a guy or a girl! And my dear gentlemen, 'splashing' water on your face while your bathe isn't enough!
You have to use a proper cleanser. And it'll all be worth it. Trust me, girls LOVE guys with good skin.
Over the years, I have used a variety of facial cleansers because my mom & I love trying out new cleansers to find what's best for our skin.
Above are just a few cleansers that I still have on my shelf. I am currently using the Hello Kitty one in the morning and before I go to bed. It is pretty good basic cleanser that works for ALL skin types! It's easily available at your nearby Watsons! :)
I use the Aqua Moist (2nd from the left) when I get back from school because I'm sooooo sweaty.
Although cleansing your face is good and very important, OVER cleansing your face is a big NO NO. We are only suppose to cleanse our face twice a day. However, when I get back from school, I just feel like a grease ball so I use a foam cleanser which is very light and gentle on my sensitive skin! Yay!
I also love Clean & Clear's skincare. It's cheap (considering that it's the GSS now and everything is on discount) and really good! I love their facial cleansers so much! My mommy is now using them and she is looking more and more gorgeous every day!
(mom, I know you are reading this, yes, I just said you are very pretty. Be happy, haha!)
Next step.....
2. Toning
After your bathe or wash your face, your pores are open and your skin is very vulnerable.
** Attention: when dirt goes into your open pores, THAT'S how you get pimples.
So toner is extremely important in any skincare regime!
Here are 6 quick reasons why you should use toner:
It shrinks pores.
It gives your skin pH balance.
It adds a layer of protection.
It moisturizes.
It refreshes skin.
It gives your skin pH balance.
It adds a layer of protection.
It moisturizes.
It refreshes skin.
It can prevent ingrown hairs.
Sounds great, doesn't it?
Here are a couple of my toners:
I use all the toners above every day for various areas of my face...
From left: AquaMoist Vitamin C Toner, Hada Labo Hydrating Lotion, Korres Hamamelis Cleansing & Toning Lotion, Clean & Clear Oil Control Toner
"Why so le-chey (< Hokkien for tedious) one?"
It's just me! You need not do so! Everyone's skin is different :)
Using one toner for your whole face may work just as well for you ^_^
I am a huge fan of the Clean & Clear Oil-Control Toner. I swear this toner is amazing! It gets absorbed into your skin so easily and it also gives you a cooling feeling.. *so shiok~* And it's also cheap! I got this bottle at only $2!!! A worthy purchase indeed!
The Hada Labo Hydrating Lotion is very well-known. Many bloggers and beauty gurus swear by it as their "Holy Grail of Toners". I think it's so-so as a toner. I use it a moisturizer (I'll explain why later, keep on reading).
The Korres Hamamelis Cleansing & Toning Lotion is great to use on acne or anything open cuts! It has antiseptic ingredients in it so it really soothes wounds and heals them quickly! Love this toner as well! I usually use it on my T-zone or any pimples!
3. Moisturising
Here is where I would like to share my personal views.
Beauty gurus such as bubzbeauty and michellephan insist that moisturiser is extremely important.
However, I disagree.
It all depends on the climate of the country. In Singapore, the weather is extremely hot and humid, therefore, I don't use much moisturiser. Of course, every one's skin IS different. There is not one-size-fits-all when it comes to skincare.
If you have dry skin or still want to use moisturiser, I strongly encourage you to find an OIL-FREE formula. Such as the Garnier Aqua Defense (which I have used before) or the Olay Mattifying Moisturiser (Great stuff, excellent makeup base as well)!
Personally, I use the Hada Labo as my moisturiser. It has ingredients to moisturise the skin so I felt that it'll be an appropriate substitute for a moisturiser and indeed, I'm happy with the results!
4. Removing Your Makeup
Super important! You've probably heard it a thousand times already! It does make a difference! I had a horrible break out a few weeks ago before I was too lazy to properly remove my makeup! Laziness = Bad Skin!
Don't let one move, make you regret a few weeks of painful pimples!
MY FAVOURITE MAKEUP REMOVERS IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!!!
They are by Bifesta and they are amazing! The eye & lip makeup removers (bottle on the right) is sooooo goooood!
All you have to do to remove stubborn waterproof mascaras and eyeliners is:
Apply some makeup remover on a cotton pad and hold it on your eye for about 10-15 seconds!
The longer you hold it there, the easier your makeup will get wiped off!
Enough said. They are awesome. Love them.
5. Exfoliating Once a Week
I stress on "Once a Week" because over exfoliating breaks your skin which will eventually lead to pimples (< speaking from personal experience.. gah!)
My favourite exfoliators! Cure is very well-known as well! I love it! Really gets all my dead skin off! The Body Shop Aloe Gentle Exfoliator is also really good! Especially for those with sensitive skin like me ;)
Those are my 2-cents worth of tips to improve/maintain your skin's condition! Feel free to comment and tell me your views!
A skincare video will be up soon!
Here's me being goofy while embracing a makeup-less & natural look.... :D
xoxo Miranda