Confidence is a gorgeous, attractive trait but only if you have it. If you don't have confidence, it can be quite the opposite - low self esteem can leave people feeling down and horrible about themselves. Personally, when I have clear, healthy skin it definitely boosts my confidence and makes me feel more confident in my own skin. So today I decided to share with you a few of my skincare tips and tricks that I use to try and keep my skin looking clear, glowy, healthy and generally just nice.
1. ALWAYS TAKE YOUR MAKEUP OFF BEFORE BED
I know this is a pretty standard beauty rule, but it's actually surprising how many girls forget to take their makeup off before bed. By leaving your makeup on every night, your pores become clogged and you increase your chances of breaking out a lot. Your skin needs time to breathe without makeup and a chance to repair cells. A good trick is stashing a pack of makeup wipes on your bedside table. This way, if you're in bed and really can't bring yourself to get up and take your makeup off properly, you can quickly wipe it off in bed.
2. WASH MAKEUP BRUSHES REGULARLY
I'm terrible for not washing my makeup brushes regularly, but if you wear makeup everyday then you should be washing your brushes weekly. Not cleaning your brushes regularly allows dirt and bacteria to build in them, meaning every time you apply makeup with that brush, you are transferring the bacteria to your face. I use baby shampoo to wash my makeup brushes as it's super gentle - simple put a squirt of baby shampoo in warm water and swirl each brush in the water. Next, leave them all to soak for five minutes and then let them dry out.
3. DRINK WATER
Another pretty standard rule, but once again it's surprising how much we forget the importance of water and the positive effects it has on our skin. You're supposed to drink eight glasses of water a day, and doing this flushes unwanted toxins out of your body. Drinking water also gives your skin more moisture whilst helping to keep you hydrated.
4. DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE
Touching your face transfers the bacteria and oils from your hands and fingers to your face. By touching your face you're adding dirt and bacteria, causing your pores to become greasy and clogged. If you do touch your face, make sure your hands are clean. Touching your face consistently can cause spots to spread and breakout in other areas of your skin so, basically, don't do it.
5. MOISTURISE
I often get dry skin, so using moisturiser is a must. Even if you don't suffer from dry skin, moisturising helps to keep your skin soft and hydrated. When you wash your face, you strip your skin of moisture, so moisturising daily helps to replenish your skin and keep the moisture locked in. Don't apply moisturiser to your face when it is wet, and massage the moisturiser in with small, circular motions. This 'wakes' your skin up and gives you more of a glow.
5. MOISTURISE
I often get dry skin, so using moisturiser is a must. Even if you don't suffer from dry skin, moisturising helps to keep your skin soft and hydrated. When you wash your face, you strip your skin of moisture, so moisturising daily helps to replenish your skin and keep the moisture locked in. Don't apply moisturiser to your face when it is wet, and massage the moisturiser in with small, circular motions. This 'wakes' your skin up and gives you more of a glow.
6. USE COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil is a holy grail when it comes to skincare and keeping your skin in top condition. Coconut oil can be used for so many things - to take off your makeup, to cure dry skin and you can also use it as a lip balm to soothe and moisturise. The antioxidant properties of coconut oil help to repair and heal your skin, leaving it radiant and glowing. I especially love using coconut oil to take my eye makeup off as it is super gentle and good for sensitive skin.
7. WEAR SPF (SUN PROTECTION FACTOR)
I'm not sure if this is stressed enough but using SPF in your daily skincare routine is so important. For foundation, I use MAC's Matchmaster Foundation which has a built in SPF of 15. Try to find a moisturiser or foundation which contains SPF as it protects your skin from harmful sun rays which can age your skin and dry it out. Even when it isn't particularly sunny out, the sun is still strong and has powerful UV rays that attack your skin cells.
8. TAKE A COOL SHOWER EVERY NOW AND THEN
I'm all for a lovely long hot shower, but it does in fact leave your skin really dehydrated. When you come out of a hot shower, you may experience reddening and itchiness of the skin - signs that your skin is drying out. Taking cool showers every so often opens up your pores and allows them to breathe and clean, leaving your skin looking clearer. Taking cool showers is also super refreshing - pat your skin gently afterwards to close up pores.
9. SLEEP IT OFF
Sleep is really important and it's surprising how a late or sleepless night can effect our skin. Being deprived of sleep leaves your skin looking dull and lifeless and the skin darkens around our eyes, leaving us with 'bags' - not attractive. You should aim to have around eight hours sleep a night, which will give your skin and body enough time to replenish itself and heal.
10. REPLACE MAKEUP REGULARLY
When I was a bit of a newbie to makeup, I had no idea how important it was to regularly replace and renew beauty products. Keeping makeup for years, even months, allows dirt and bacteria to build within the products and you are therefore transferring this to your face each time. Here's a little guide to show exactly when you should replace each product:
Mascara - 3 months
Lipsticks - 2 years
Foundation - 1 year
Eye pencils - 1-2 years
Liquid Eyeliner - 3 months
Powder eyeshadows - 2 yearsCream eyeshadows - 6 months
Suncream - 6 months
(No skin-makeup selfie!)xx
Some excellent tips here. I have been hearing about all the great uses of coconut oil for a while but haven't tried it yet. I think it's time to get some!
ReplyDeleteThank you :) Coconut oil is great, you should definitely give it a try!
DeleteYour skin is beautiful! I started taking care of my skin when I was 11ish so I've followed these rules for such a long time! But I don't know whether I can take cool showers...hot showers are too good <3
ReplyDeletexx Bash | Bash Says Hey | bloglovin'
Aw thank you! Since you were 11?! That's great work. I only started taking proper good care of my skin when I was about 14/15. Hot showers are too good, you're right!
DeleteSome great tips here, I do most of them, but need to be better at getting more sleep and throwing out old makeup - thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteThrowing out old makeup is one that I'm a bit rubbish at too, but it's essential for good skin! You're welcome :)
DeleteGreat tips, I always find my skin looks a lot better after having a good night's sleep. On top of drinking plenty of water, I'd also add a good diet with lots of fruit, veg and omega 3 rich fish, that always helps with skin too.
ReplyDeleteSarah xo | PolkaDotLemon
Yes a good healthy diet is essential, and lots of vitamins and minerals too :)
DeleteYour skin is so lovely!
ReplyDeleteI've just started a new skin care routine, because up til now I just used wipes (bad) and rarely took my make up off before bed (even worse). I feel like I've noticed a difference already after just a week or so x
Aw thank you! Yes makeup wipes can be pretty bad for your skin but occasionally they're fine :) That's great!
DeleteThis is a really helpful post, I absolutely love coconut oil and its many uses! :)
ReplyDeleteStyle Sunrise ☀
:)
x
Thank you. Me too - coconut oil is a life saver!
DeleteI have been using coconut oil for oil pulling but I definitely want to try using it on my skin and hair x
ReplyDeleteHeather | Of Beauty & Nothingness x
Try it, it works wonders!
DeleteGreat post and you have beautiful skin!
ReplyDeleteKayla
Sheer Beauty Blog
Thank you lovely lady :)
DeleteGreat advice! I have to admit, I'm guilty of sometimes breaking a few of these rules - and my skin definitely shows it when I do!!
ReplyDeleteMilly // Mini Adventures
I think we all are, but they're good to keep in mind! :)
DeleteYou have absolutelt incredible glowing skin !I have never thought about using coconut oil but just water makes such a difference to me as I never used to have it at all xxx
ReplyDeleteBlonde Of Carbs
Aw thank you! You should give coconut oil a go - it's really good. And yes water makes such a difference! xx
DeleteYou have amazing skin! Definitely going to buy coconut oil for my dry skin! x
ReplyDeletetilly-mccluskey
Thank you :)
DeleteThese are some great tips and your skin looks amazing by the way. I am always meaning to drink more water as I know it does wonders for your skin
ReplyDeleteLaura x
Thanks lovely! Water is really good and hydrating for your skin, I'm trying to drink more of it too.
DeleteYour skin looks fantastic, thanks for the great tips! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, you're welcome :)
DeleteI love these tips and agree with every single one. I am so bad for touching my face all of the time though - it definitely doesn't help!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love your blog layout! xx
Sam | Samantha Betteridge
Aw thank you! Me too, it's hard not to! x
DeleteGreat tips! one of my really bad habits was constantly touching your face! i'm a tad better now lol and it has improved my skin too! Great Post! xxx
ReplyDeleteAnisha ♥ All You Need Is Red Lipstick
I always do it when I'm on the laptop without realising! Haha, I'm getting better at it too though :) thank you xx
DeleteExcellent tips! I actually wash my brushes every 2-3 weeks maybe even longer as nobody's ever said when we should wash them! Tbh I thought it was monthly but since reading this i'll start to do them weekly xxx
ReplyDeletewww.krystelcouture.com ♥
I think if you don't wear LOADS of makeup then 2-3 weeks is perfect, but for people who use a lot of makeup every day and reapply more than once weekly is probably better. But each to their own! xx
DeleteYou have amazing skin! I think drinking water may actually be the most important one, I always notice a difference in my skin if I haven't drunk enough!
ReplyDeleteThe Velvet Black // UK Style & Beauty Blog
Same here! My skin always goes a bit dull when I haven't been drinking enough water - water gives you a lovely glow!
DeleteWell if your skin is anything to go by, I reckon these must be great tips ;-) Actually, drinking lots of water, getting plenty of sleep and having cool showers is good for general health as is coconut oil. I went through a period of having only cold showers which I managed for a couple of years. Think I'd find it hard to go back to that now, though I never have hot showers.
ReplyDeleteAww thank you! Cold showers are definitely difficult to get into the habit of doing but on hot sunny days they are perfect! x
DeleteSome great tips there! Your skin looks glowing!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteI've started taking the water tip on board recently, although I often touch my face without even realising! :)
ReplyDeleteVelvet Blush
Same here! Thanks for your comment :)
DeleteSPF is my main area that needs improvement! Trying to incorporate it into my daily routine but definitely could still improve! Great tips x
ReplyDeleteLove and Marmalade
You should invest in a foundation or moisturiser that has SPF built in and then it's easy! Thank you x
DeleteI definitely agree that having good skin helps boost your confidence! This post also reminded me that I need to clean my makeup brush like ASAP!
ReplyDeleteTina
www.justatinabit.com
Haha I always forget to clean mine. Good luck x
DeleteI am definitely guilty of a few of these! Whoops :(
ReplyDeleteNatalie Ann xo // Petal Poppet Blogs ♥
I think we all are! :)
DeleteThese are all really great tips, and you are definitely right - having healthy skin really helps one's confidence! I really need to get better about cleaning my brushes regularly and taking my makeup off before bed!
ReplyDeleteRae | love from berlin
I can be terrible for taking my makeup off before bed but keeping a stash of makeup wipes by your bed is a good idea for us lazy heads! x
DeleteReally really good tips Amy! Cannot stress how important SPF is!
ReplyDeleteHolly xx
www.hollysbeautybox.co.uk
Thank you :) I know! So important!
Deletex
great tips. it's always a good idea to take a few moments and read them all. 1-2 and 4 are my everyday quick routine(:
ReplyDeletexx from Italy
Cate ღ kate/idoscope | youtube
Thank you :)
DeleteWonderful tips! And you are absolutely stunning! xo // Naomi in Wonderland
ReplyDeleteAww thank you so much, how kind! <3
DeleteGreat tips. I've been taking a lot of care with my skincare routine lately and I see such a positive difference. Moisturizing is so important x
ReplyDeleteCaitriona | Blog
That's so good! Yes, moisturising is super important, especially after cleansing and toning. x
DeleteThese are great tips. I've been seeing a lot about coconut oil recently, so I really should give it a try.
ReplyDeleteBrittany x | Bringing Up Brittany
Thank you! ooh you definitely should, the beauty world is going mad for it!
DeleteI work for a skin care brand, these are great tips, the only other one i would add would be EXFOLIATE. Makes such a difference and really helps promote new skin cells.
ReplyDeletehttp://surreyvslondon.me/2015/03/25/berlin-day-two/
Thank you :) and thanks for the extra tip - I try to exfoliate regularly x
DeleteYour blog design is so beautiful! xx
ReplyDeletefashionsmyfirstlanguage.blogspot.ie
Aw thank you! x x
DeleteTaking random cool showers is awesome but I did not know that hot showers dehydrated you! Lovely tips!
ReplyDeletedoitfortheirony.blogspot.com / creative + lifestyle blog
Thank you. Yes, hot showers always leave my skin hot and itchy! x
DeleteFab post, some really great tips :) I have to agree about taking your makeup off I used to be lazy and could sleep in it, but now I can’t bring myself to lay in bed without it being removed - even if I’m in the lousiest of states I’ll even use a makeup wipe just to make sure I go to bed with clean skin lol. Your skin looks amazing btw :)
ReplyDeleteCharlee XO | CharmedCharlee
Thank you! That's really good - I'm sometimes still really lazy about it but it makes such a big difference to your skin. The skin needs time to breathe replenish! x
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