Several requests for beauty tips have rolled in over the months, and I've studiously ignored them just as I did requests for jean-related advice. Why, you ask? Because I am such an amateur when it comes to cosmetics and the complexities of beauty products and routines. I mean, I'm clean, don't get me wrong. I'm a well-groomed lass. But most days I wash up, scrunch some product in my hair, and leave the house with a wet head and a bare face. And everything I know about cosmetics and their application, I've learned from reading Sonja's posts over at The Coveted. And I mean RECENTLY, people.
However, in thinking it over, I've realized that I do have an opinion or two about how to keep pretty. And you'll sense a theme in them almost instantly ...
1. Natural is better: No matter how resilient your skin/hair/body appears to be, you're always best served to choose products that have few ingredients, natural ingredients, organic ingredients. Mineral makeup, plant-based hair products, natural soaps ... all will do better things for your bod in the long term than chemical-laden concoctions.
2. Don't smoke: Yeah, yeah, I know. What fun is THAT? But seriously, if you want to keep your skin healthy and elastic, clear and fresh-looking, keep the smoking to a minimum. I would cough and hack like a noob if you handed me a cig ... and although I battle the hormonally-triggered acne, I have been told by doctor after doctor that I have youthful, healthy skin. And that a lack nicotine in my system is a contributing factor. I'm just sayin'.
3. While you're at it, watch that diet: We like to think that the products we apply to our exterior selves are the only ones that will affect the lustre of our locks and the glow of our complexions. Not so, not so! The more French fries and candy, pizza and Cheetos we ingest, the more likely a breakout. I do not care about the latest study results claiming that chocolate is fabulous for your health. It's common sense. Junk food is called "junk" for a reason, and it will take the shine right offa ya. Indulge, by all means, but indulge on occasion! If you're subsisting on crap alone, you nails, hair, and skin will show it.
4. Minimize heat treatments: Another tip that will make me wildly unpopular! If you blow dry or flat iron your hair every day, it WILL rebel eventually. Hair needs rest. Commit to wearing it in an untouched bun, ponytail, or hat a couple of times a week. It will thank you.
5. Let your nails breathe: Manicures are gorgeous. But if you don't allow the living nail beneath to get some air and grow out naturally every once in a while, you'll end up with grotty yellow talons. My nails split a lot - more often when I'm eating badly - so I'll put a single coat of clear polish on them when I want them to grow a bit longer. But even that comes off for at least a week at a time each month. More often, if I'm feeling less fancy and more earthy.
6. Play with makeup: I had never even APPLIED mascara to my eyelashes until about four months ago. And once I did, I understood why many women apply it daily. Do I apply it daily now? Hells no. It looks great, but feels ookey and I'm just too lazy most days. However, allowing myself to experiment with it was quite valuable, and now I can gussy on a whole other level when the occasion arises. Try something new in your cosmetics regimen every once in a while. You might love it, you might hate it, you might utilize it once a year. But you'll never know if ya don't branch out once in a while. Maybe you were born to wear a matte red lip ...
7. Be kind to yourself: Don't tan. Don't deprive yourself of sleep or water or regular exercise. Don't wear shoes that give you angry red blisters. Don't pull your hair back so tight you get a migraine. Don't stop wearing that bright blue eyeliner you love because some snob in your chemistry class made fun of you. Don't dye your hair over, and over, and over, and over. Don't use anything topical that claims it will get rid of your cellulite. Be smart about your beauty choices, and don't do anything that hurts, stings, burns, or feels bad/unnatural/unhealthy to you in any way.
Products I swear by:
Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara - goes on, stays on, relatively clump-free
Kiehl's tinted lip balms - I only use petroleum-based balms, and this is my fave
Almay Smart Shade Blush - gives just a hint of color, very natural
Physician's Formula face powders - all minerals!
Nearly everything in the Garnier Fructis line - a really solid selection of hair styling products
Cetaphil facial cleanser - fantastically mild
Aveda Brilliant Humectant Pomade - fab for curly hair touch-ups
Aveda All Sensitive Moisturizer - the lightest, least greasy I've found
Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo - once every other week, or even less
Well. Was that crunchy-granola enough for yas? Basically, anything beauty-related coming from me is going to encourage you to live healthy, use natural products, and minimize the impact on your body. Nothing remotely groundbreaking, but there it is.
If anyone is hoping for specific beauty info or tips, let me know. I can wrangle a guest post or two out of my more knowledgeable blogging compatriots.
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48 comments:
I love Keihls too, and another fantastic organic, crunch granola beauty line is Fresh or Korres.
I also agree with letting things rest. Sunday is my no makeup, no styling day, for lounging around in my natural state :)
Sal, you meant NON-petroleum based balms, right?
hey give yourself some credit--it was a good granola munching post--LOL!!! :)good tips, Sal!
Wonderful tips! I swear by 'mostly natural' as well, I only apply some mascara and some lip gloss in the morning. I don't smoke, I have a healthy diet, I exercise regularly (for the last six years, after I shed nearly 6o pounds...), I rarely paint my nails etc. I think that most people look best in their natural (but groomed) state. As you have put it so well - already pretty!
Denise: No, I didn't. The Kiehl's is petrolatum-based (just looked at my tube to be sure), and I also use Vaseline products on my lips. Anything remotely waxy just sits on top of my skin like frosting and doesn't provide even the slightest bit of moisture. Personal needs and preference.
I think granola is a special treat. Your granola is the kind that is so tasty that I don't even think about calories( even better, your granola is calorie free;-). I LOVE Kiehl's microdermabrasion and their avocado eye creme.
I love this one.
Especially the part about natural makeup. There are so many great brands out there, I wonder why everyone is still addicted to MAC. I used to use Aveda - but the mascara always fell. Now I'm loving Arbonne make up BUT it's one of those Mary Kay like companies where you have to order everything. Kind of a pain in the....
i don't know a terrible amount about makeup either, but you've certainly covered all the bases here (plus, i love hearing which products other people use).
Seconding the love for Cetaphil face cleanser. I used to have trouble with acne and used all kinds of harsh cleansers that didn't help very much. When I switched to Cetaphil, my skin got about a million times better. A tip I read somewhere and use all the time: a few times a week, mix some baking soda in your palm with the Cetaphil. Voila - instant, mild, natural, CHEAP exfoliating scrub!
great advice! all of it! i used to smoke and quite...and not even really because of my lungs, but because I didn't want to get wrinkled! sounds lame probably! but it was bad for me anyway!
i DO love junk food, but i love healthy food too. hopefully i'm working a good balance between the two! i must be, because i've lost 15 pounds since May. woot!
oh and the heat styling! i totally concur. my hair is completely fake in color and has been for years, but i wash in cold and rarely blowdry or heat style anymore. i think it's improved the hair's healthy considerably given the damage I put it through with the dye jobs.
great tips! i agree w/them all...except the mineral makeup. i'm actually allergic to all mineral makeup. i get rashy, red, and itchy. sux, huh :(
Wonderful post! I keep thinking about trying the fructis products. Will have to get some next time I need shampoo or something.
The only thing I'd add -- drink water. Lots and lots and lots of water. It does *wonders* for your skin. I have a friend who recently kicked her Diet Coke habit and replaced it with water. She was *amazed* at how much clearer her skin looked within two days, as well as softer.
I love the Fructis line of products. However, I do dye my hair over...and over...and over, because if I don't, I have nasty bigass grey roots. I can't do just touchups with the red that I do, because they don't make it in more than one shade of red!
I'm a full-face makeup gal, but I use it sparingly (mineral) unless it's a special occasion. I do love my mascara, though - every day.
Wow, we're nearly beauty twins. Say, maybe you should address the Curly Hair/Cold Winter dilemma one of these days, if you follow my train of thought.
Mmm, granola...
I'd also add: cleanse and moisturize. I religiously wash my face and slather on the moisturizer morning and night, and I think it's made a huge difference in the way my skin looks now. I also recently discovered the oil cleansing method -- via Sonja, of course! -- and it works wonders, especially on skin that is somewhat oily like mine. Counterintuitive, I know, but it really works, and it's natural.
Linda: I DO follow your train, and I will put on my thinking cap. I will admit to exposing my curls to the bitter MN elements more than I ought ... but have been trying to dream up a better way.
I love all your tips, Sal! Being a bit crunchy-granola myself (although not in the area of beauty products so much; I'm a slave to Sephora!), I think beauty upkeep really does start from what we put in our bodies or apply to the skin. Lifestyle choices, if you may. I know that although I still have monthly breakouts, my skin is much better off than it used to be when I ate junk food more often. My skin thanks me loads now that I've quieted down and am not out partying (or smoking... I did smoke at one point! :p). R&R does wonders. ;)
My mom swears my Cetaphil, though I have never tried it. Mostly because my face seems to only like good ol' soap and water to cleanse. Every time I try something new, I break out!
Have you tried any of the Burt's Bees tinted balms? I always have a tube of one of their rose pinks around. I love the lightness of the color and the peppermint that adds a bit of tingle (and also works as a great breath freshener in a pinch! ;).
Casey: The Burt's Bees stuff is great for color and that minty zip ... but since it's waxy, it does nothing for me, moisture-wise. I'm such a mutant! Wax lip balms actually dry my lips out. I still keep a tube of the BB merlot around for when I'm feeling like a bold lip.
i agree with you nearly 100%, that's how my rents raised me and its served me well. seems to have served you well, too, gorgeous!
Well, I DO know a lot about make-up and think your beauty tips are grand, especially #6: PLAY! It's not rocket science, it's just paint and it washes off!
Besides, here comes winter ... Darkened lashes and berry-or-chocolate-colored lips can make a pasty complexion glow.
Crunchy granola? Maybe. But I love crunchy granola! ;)
You noted that you suffer from hormonal outbreaks of acne. I can identify that. Any chance of an expansion on how you deal with, or at least cover that up? xx
What a great set of tips! Thanks so much!
I can't believe I found someone else with the same lip balm issues--non-petroleum based ones just do nothing for me and dry out my lips but the petroleum-based ones are magic (even though certain studies rate petroleum-based products as bad for you).
I definitely agree about the heat treatments - I blowdry my hair BUT I've gotten to the point where I can go 3-4 days between washing my hair, and it looks a lot better than it did when I was doing the whole routine every day.
Oh, and I read an article lately (in Allure, maybe?) where they showed pictures of identical twins who had different lifestyles - like, one twin applied sunscreen every day and the other tanned, one twin smoked and the other didn't, etc. The ones who smoked and tanned looked way older than their identical sisters. There's proof for ya!
Knitosaurus: Hurrah for lip mutants! I totally believe that the petroleum-based balms are bad news in the long term ... they totally go against my whole "be natural" mantra. But what's a girl to do when it's 70 below? Or when everything else just looks like gook? Have you tried anything uber-natural, like straight-up olive oil? Maybe that's the next step ...
Love this article, well all of the other ones too. And that picture of you is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
What a great post! I'm getting more into makeup and beauty stuff these days than I used to be, but if I had to choose between spending money on skincare products or on makeup, I'll choose skincare every time. It makes more sense to me to take care of what you have than slather on stuff to disguise the fact that you've been neglecting the health of your skin!
Great post! For the drier-skinned, "mature" readers among us, I highly recommend Jin Jang Creme, used in a very thin layer all over the face at night.
no smoking- check. minimal nail polish- check. no heat/dye on my hair- check. some natural beauty product-check.
Other than that, thanks for being someone other than my mother telling me all this. I really should listen more.
I hear you on everything but the mineral makeup. That's dirt people - it's dirt you're putting on your face. And most of us with acne can't wear mineral makeup without breaking out.
I also think you have to be careful with the "natural" plant based ingredients. Natural, yes (though once processed it's questionable) but some plant based ingredients can be quite irritating.
So full of wisdom you are...
I'm embarrassed to say I wear make-up every day, even to work...when I landscape. I start out the day fresh and by the end of the day I'm bedraggled with dirt lines and hair out to there but I feel better. However, if I had those adorable freckles I see peeking out at me occasionally on you, I would go bare-faced too.
And yes, ugh to smoking...
great post...I always love hearing the beauty secrets of others!
Go Sal! Yay for natural beauty! I really love your point of view.
Sally,
I really enjoyed this post! (You know being a beauty blgoger and all, haha). I agree with all your tips, but I especially love your point of "being kind to yourself".
As much as dressing up and glamming it up is fun, what's the point if you're miserbale from, like you said, a migraine, foot blisters? For example I cannot wear heels, I get insanely painful muscle spasms... I know alot of women who would bare the pain just to be a fw inches taller, but the pain is too much and I don't want to be miserable all night! So I ditched the heels and found my new love: boots! :-P
Anyway just stopping by and hope you have a great weekend! Great post as usual :)
xx Renee
All v interesting. All in favour of cetaphil. Sun screen is the best anti-ageing product apparently, but perhaps I say that because I'm Australian. Clinique make a good barrier type one for the face.
Great tips. I couldn't agree more!
Also, that picture of you on this post is GORGEOUS! S.
Have you heard that Aveda is discontinuing the All-Sensitive line?
This sucks, as I just recently discovered it and have been loving it for my sensitive, acne-prone skin as Iowa winter approaches.
Good luck either stockpiling or finding something that you like just as well.
Keep us posted on that, eh? :)
barisaxyvet: WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!? Those bastages. Bleh. If you find something comparable, will you let me know? I've relied on that stuff for YEARS.
Sal, will do. :)
I have had similar luck with Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, fyi.
Hi there-great tips, especially staying natural and not smoking. I guess drinking loads of water is something I really should do more of!!
love you, sally! how about using cruelty free cosmetics and products? i always check the PETA site to see which cosmetic companies do not test on animals. here is the link http://shopcrueltyfree.peta2.com/index.aspx
Great post! I personally NEVER have my nails bare. It has been that way for the past 20 years. My mom and gram are the same way and they have the longest and hardest nails ever. I know what you mean by breathe but nails actually don't need to "breathe" (mom is a cosmetologist) But fake nails or lots of buffing will cause harm but a good thing for them and your hair is to take a B multi vitamin. The extra biotin is what makes them hard.
I used to love the Kiehls lip stuff but they aren't gluten free!!! Darn wheat germ. I am fiercely dedicated to their Formula 33 conditioner.
I flat iron every single day but I use Moroccan oil to keep it healthy. It keeps it silky and soft.
All I can say is: Amen.
This is a really great list of advice. I think it's especially true to go natural a few times I week. At least once a week, I tend to have a make-up free, hair product free day. I think it's good to give your skin and hair a chance to rest. And I just starting using Clinique's new mineral powder, and I love it!
I do all that good stuff EXCEPT for the hair dyeing - my hair is quite grey now (50-something) and I detest how people treat me when I let it be grey. I'm not anyone's mum or gran - and even if I were I'd not want to be treated like an old slipper. So I do have it coloured often, a redder take on my original dark. Some products are much gentler than others. I wear little makeup - and love Burts' Bees merlot - don't find it particularly bold, but I'm une brune.
You might like Clarins products; they make some very nice lip colours that are very gentle; I believe they are petroleum or other oil based.
So glad I never took up smoking - I know I'd have a hard time quitting it. I play with pens instead.
I just wanted to add a word about PIZZA as junk food or good food. Most takeaway pizza and sadly a lot of North American restaurant pizzas are indeed of the junque persuasion.
But pizza is basically flatbread and toppings. How junky or good it is depends on the dough you make it from and what you top it with. Made from organic unbleached flour + semolina and a bit of good olive oil, slowly raised and topped with some good cheese and vegetables, it can be a very good food indeed, just not eating too much as you wouldn't eat a whole baguette.
First, that pic of you is gorgeous!! You are glowing...and I love how you let the color of your outfit be the starring color, rather than also adding a whole bunch of color to your face.
With that said, I am a makeup loving gal that seriously had to read it twice when I saw that you only recently tried mascara!
P.S. My captcha word was "oweally". Of course, I read it in a 2 yr. old's voice. :-)
Hey! I read your blog every so often and I love when people post what they use/prefer. Although, I do not agree with any of the make up advice :) sorry! I do agree totally with the hair/no smoking/diet advice!! I use make up every single day and I HATE mineral make up, and all those make ups claiming to be "natural".
I work in a business where things (food, make up, hair products...) do not legally have to prove anything is really "natural" to be called natural... So I don't buy that crap...! Organic has to be registered and all that, so that is the best way to go in terms of foods, and other things.
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