December 4, 2013

Skincare for Beginners: Start Early!

crayolaj74 Hair, Makeup and Beauty skincare for beginners, wash your face, wear sunscreen 1 Comment

It’s never too early to start a good skin routine, so I’m bringing you my best tips for skincare for beginners in hopes that it will get you thinking. Helping your teens and tweens take good care of their skin will go a long way in boosting self-confidence and forming good habits early!

Skincare for Beginners

I have shared enough with you, my dear readers, for you to know that I am not afraid of color.  I think over-the-top hair and makeup is rip-roaring fun, and I live for Halloween!

Believe it or not, when it comes to everyday makeup, I have a firm “less is more” attitude, especially when it applies to young girls who are still learning how to apply makeup.  Nothing screams “NEWBIE!” like smeared-on foundation in the wrong color, too much caked on powder, or big, gnarly black tentacles spiking out of heavily kohl-rimmed eyes. Add that to the blemished skin of many pre-teens or teens, and a young girl can go through a very scary time.

My skin routines through the ages

I write these posts for a myriad of reasons, not the least of which is my memory of a conversation with Daddy-O. He told me I went through a phase when my eyes looked like two pee-holes in the snow.

I did so love black eyeliner in the seventh grade, but it was hard to hear. Mainly because he was right, but nonetheless. Other reasons for me writing about this do include 1) Selfies I see on Facebook and Twitter of young girls suffering from a similar problem 2) Young girls I see in public, because I am a chronic people-watcher, and I notice hair and makeup 3) Pooh and Tigger.

Number 3 is most important, because no matter how many times I see a girl who I would love to coach on makeup application, it won’t be as many as the times I am displeased with some new fashion trend my girls are trying out.

I know my own mother wanted to beat my hair down with a fly-swatter on more than one occasion,

and how many times was she tempted to do the whole mom-spit thing underneath my eyes? Who can forget the time I had shoes dyed to match a suit, and Madre cringed that I left the house that way…‘what happened to simple black shoes?’ she would wonder aloud. The trends of my girls’ time are and will continue to be very different from what I grew up with, and I have to stay on top of things, for them and for myself and…um… all of our loved ones who might have to be seen in public with my children. Whew!

Now in my 40’s, I wish someone had sat me down and gone over some skincare for beginners.  I am dotted with moles, dark spots, and other weird skin issues, not to mention my eczema flare-ups.  I have a much lighter hand with makeup application nowadays, and I know both of my parents are relieved that my crazy habits did not stick around into adulthood.

skin routine tips

I want my girls to be confident enough to experiment with their hair and makeup, but I hope I have set a good example when it comes to application.

I also need to set a good example with skin care, but I don’t always succeed. I sleep in my makeup many a night, and I know how horrible that is, but I still do it. The girls see me wake up with mascara smeared under my eyes and across my temple, but they don’t say anything. They don’t have to…I know they’re watching! At least I use sunscreen regularly, and force them to do the same.

Here are my best tips for skincare for beginners:

• Wear sunscreen. This is my most important skin care for beginners tip. I want my girls to start protecting their skin from the sun now, and maybe they won’t have some of the skin issues I suffer from when they’re older (brown spots, moles, discoloration). Finding the right products for you or your daughter is a process, naturally, depending on skin type. But no matter what skin type, skin tone, or skin color, sunscreen is important. Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is something you will never regret. For the girls, I love this Avon Elements lotion.  It’s suitable for sensitive skin, has SPF 20 broad spectrum protection.
• Wash Your Face. Pooh is still just washing her face in the shower with body wash, but it’s almost time to get her something formulated for delicate facial skin. She’s a good kid, and I don’t have to say “wash your face” 10 times a day…she likes to be clean. Something gentle will do fine, like this Avon Clean Foam Cleanser mini.
• Stay Hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is of utmost importance for healthy skin, and overall health.  Chugging sugary sodas and juices will set your young girls on a path of breakouts and dull skin before their time!  Make sure your teens or tweens stay hydrated for optimum skin health, and to form a great habit for life! Here’s a super-cute clip on water bottle from Avon that your kids will love…it’s perfect for taking to school, on their bikes, or to sports practice.

What more could I cover in skincare for beginners? The fact that I only have three basic tips for you should tell you that starting early is very important…before makeup wearing begins!

how i’m handling skin care for my kids

Pooh hasn’t started with breakouts yet, and hasn’t even asked to wear makeup in public. I know that the next year will bring about some changes, but who’s to say she will want to wear makeup at all? If not, that is just fine with me. She has a beautiful face and such sweet, soft skin. I would hate to see her cover it up!

I kind of have a theory about new beginnings with my girls. I’m not going to bring up anything like shaving, makeup or hair styling until they do. That doesn’t necessarily mean I’m going to load them up with supplies to do all these things the minute they bring it up, either. I have talked about skincare for beginners with them, but I just refuse to push them to start all of these time-consuming rituals until I know they are ready. Pooh has asked a few questions, but no real desire has kicked in yet. For that, I am thankful.

As the inevitable changes begin, I will first help Pooh find the right products for her skin. I will encourage her to wash her face every night and use sunscreen every morning. I will help her find the right products for pesky breakouts, and if (God forbid) she has a problem with acne, I will take her to a dermatologist. More than likely, I will share what works for us here along the way.

Soon I will cover some makeup basics, and some tips for young faces. Skincare for beginners had to come first, because it’s more important than what makeup to wear or what colors work.  My daughters are so beautiful, and I hope they always know that makeup is optional. Good skincare, however, is not.

But when they are ready for makeup, I hope to be ready, too. We shall see.

X,O,X,O,   Martie