 Let’s take the mystery out of figuring out your skin type. To get us started we need to address what are the different skin types.
On that note we should talk about “acneic” or “acne prone” skin. You guessed it- just like sensitive skin, acne is a descriptor and not a type. Although a lot of people think if you have acne you automatically have Oily skin, that is not true either! Any of the skin types can have acne (and a little bonus fact is that a lot of skincare and specifically marketed to acne prone skin is what is actually what is making them oilier, because of ingredients that strip the skin of its natural oils which causes the skin to overreact by increasing its output of oil) Another thing you may have noticed is that Normal and Combination are listed as the same type. Why is that? Well because it is completely natural to be a little oilier in the T-zone. Can you imagine what an incredibly small percentage of people would be considered normal if the requirement was that they had to have completely perfectly balanced skin. The word normal by definition means the standard, usual, typical. So in other words, most people on average are that type which is why it is called normal, but you can feel free to call it combo since that is basically the same thing. Now that you know there are only 3 skin types I bet that has already cleared up some of the confusion. Time to dive into what the characteristics are of each type are. If you take a look at the chart you can see I’ve divided it up by skin type as well as some specific markers to look for that can help you determine which category you fall into. These markers are…
So let’s break down how each one of these will present themselves in the different skin types so you truly understand what to look for. If you have Oily Skin: Shine- do you get shine literally anywhere and everywhere on your face? I call this floor to ceiling, wall to wall shine. Sure it will probably present itself in the T zone first, but as the day goes on if you don’t do anything to combat the shine your face would become an oil slick all over. Temperature- if you gently touch the back of your hand to the skin on your face does it feel a bit hot? It will for an oily person because their skin is literally working harder to produce more oil. Flakiness- sometimes the excess oil on the skin makes it hard for your skin to naturally shed itself. Someone oily may have flakes around the nostrils or through the brows because the the dead skin gets trapped in those areas from the combo of oil & hair (brows), or oil & crevice (nostrils) Thickness- gently pinch the skin on your face between your thumb and pointer finger to check the thickness. The oilier the skin the thicker it becomes. If you have Normal/ Combo Skin: Shine- you can be one of the lucky few who doesn’t really get very shiny anywhere, all the way up to super oily as long as it is completely contained in the T zone alone. The shinier the T zone gets the closer to becoming an oily skin type you become as it will eventually start spreading out from there, so use it as a warning that something you are doing is starting to create a problem and needs to be corrected. Temperature- when you touch your face with the back of your hand it feels pretty normal. Warm but not hot Flakiness- no flakes should be present. A few things that could throw you off though are flakes from allergies, sunburn, or if you are a picker! Thickness- the pinch test should reveal pretty average skin thickness. Our skin will also get thinner as we age so keep that in mind. If you have Dry Skin: Shine- there will be zero shine on someone who is truly dry. This can make the skin seem lackluster Temperature- if the skin on your face is cooler than the back of your hand you just might have dry skin. It is literally the opposite of an oily skin that is working hard to produce more oil, a dry skin isn’t working at all. Flakiness- it is common for a dry skin type to have flakes on the lower cheeks and even the forehead. Sometimes it may not be full on flakes but instead feel a bit rough. As the skin begins to naturally shed itself it will be mixed with oil normally while it is in the process of sloughing itself off, with the absence of the oil in dry skin the shedding skin obvious during that process because it is dried out creating those flakes. Thickness- dry skin feels obviously thin, it doesn’t always even need to be touched to make this determination because you can see veins through it. I mentioned that our skin gets thinner as we get older, and it also will get dryer and dryer. There are some things that can trick you though! I mentioned that allergies, picking the skin, and sunburn can cause flaking but also keep in mind some skin treatments that cause skin peeling. Enlarged pores may be a sign of oily skin but once again the culprit can be picking at your skin as well as the use of harsh scrubs, age (loss of elasticity), and also if you were once oily but are no longer those large pores will be left behind. In case you are checking things out with some makeup or skincare on be aware of products that will make you appear more matte like powders and some primers. On the other end a dewy foundation can make you look more shiny as well as using the wrong moisturizer (or using a night cream as a daytime moisturizer). So now that you know what each skin type really is, and what to look for to determine yours I want you to feel empowered! You can take this information to make better choices when it comes to your skincare and makeup. Drop a comment below and join the conversation. Let us know what skin type you discovered you have, is it different than what you thought? I also love hearing about the weird things people have been told by retail beauty advisors who just don’t know any better. I am a normal/ combo girl who has been told everything under the sun from oily, to sensitive, to being told my skin type is dull lol! I’ll never understand a lady who thinks that she will make a sale by making someone feel insecure by insulting them. Share your stories!
0 Comments
 When it comes to putting on your foundation have you ever wondered which type of application is the right one for you?
I’m sure some of you out there have actually never even thought about it! Guilty of getting stuck in a rut with your makeup routine and find yourself just applying your foundation the same way you always have simply because it's the only way you ever even tried? Or are you someone who switches things up because someone told you you should be doing it this way or that way but you have no clue why? I'm here to help demystify the options out there so you can discover which method is actually your best option. Ready for a break down of the benefits with each applicator?… keep reading Sponge, Fingers, or Brush? Sponge: Definitely a popular method and for good reason. Known for giving a beautifully blended finish. Intended to be used damp to help distribute product more evenly. That results in a natural, lightweight look. A sponge will give you the most sheer application of your foundation. The one bummer is that they do tend to suck up product so keep that in mind. Fingers: Don’t count this one out! Your fingers just may be your most valuable makeup tool. The warmth of those fingertips of yours can be key when it comes to the blending of certain formulas. Since your fingers don’t absorb any product you will get the exact intended coverage of whatever foundation you are using. So as opposed to a sponge that sheers things out, your fingers will apply it just as its made. A patting or tapping motion is needed in order to build up coverage. Just be aware of edges and take care to fully blend things out. Brush: A great option if you are looking for precision and a flawless finish. Brushes will give you the most concentrated application of product giving you the fullest coverage of your foundation formula. This coverage when done properly is nice and even, but not cakey. Make sure to wash this brush regularly though, not only because of bacteria (ewww) but also because a dirty foundation brush will affect its ability to apply and blend your foundation smoothly. What it all comes down to in the end has a lot to do with personal preference, and the particular foundation formula you are using. Now get out there and try each of them out! And don’t be afraid to combine them to get the exact results you are looking for. I want to hear from you! Let me know in the comments below how you like to put on your foundation. |
Who am I
The real me… Archives
November 2023
Categories |
RSS Feed