by Dee Crabtree

Created on: September 28, 2009

Looking good all day starts when you first wash your face in the morning. Begin by using a cleanser especially formulated for your skin type. The cleanser you use need not be expensive but it should be a facial cleanser, not a deodorant bar. Your face does not need to be deodorized and that type of soap is too harsh for anything but your body. You should exfoliate at least three times a week with either a roughly textured washcloth or a deep cleansing scrub. Follow with a good astringent or toner, even if you have dry skin. Toners helps clean off the last bit of any residue that may remain and they also help to firm the skin.

Wait approximately five minutes for the toner to do its work, then move on to good moisturizing cream. Experiment until you find the right one for you. If you have oily skin, look for an oil-free formula. If you have dry skin, looking for a deep moisturizing cream. Look for one that not only moisturizes and firms but that also adds a subtle glow to your skin. Unless you have severe discoloration or scaring, using a tinted or glow producing moisturizer may enable you to forego foundation entirely. If you do need the thorough coverage that comes from foundation, be aware that some moisturizers have such extreme smoothing benefits that they might not allow your foundation to sink into your skin deeply enough to provide complete, long-lasting coverage.

If you opt to wear foundation, do look for a long wearing formula. Apply a thin layer to your skin, starting at the center of your face and blending it outward in order to avoid obvious demarcation lines. If you find you need additional coverage around the nose or on blemishes, dab on another thin layer of foundation with your pinky finger. Let it dry just a minute or so before blending thoroughly. If you have oily skin, brush on a thin coat of powder to seal your foundation. However, if you have normal to dry skin, avoid using powder as it can settle into and accentuate fine lines and wrinkles.

To keep your look fresh throughout the day, gently blot your make-up every time you go to the ladies' room. Blot away any oil that accumulates on your nose and forehead, and any smudges from beneath your eyes. If your eye shadow slides into the creases of your eyelids, smooth it back out over your lids with your pinky finger.

At lunchtime, touch up your lashes with a quick squeeze of an eyelash curler. If needed, dab a bit of foundation on up your nose and chin. Slick on a coat of lipstick whenever needed throughout the day.

Finally, don't forget to thoroughly remove your make-up at the end of each day. Five minutes of diligent skincare each night will result in beautiful, glowing skin that will need less care during the day to retain that lovely glow. Start your nighttime routine by wiping off every bit of your make-up with a baby wipe. After you have removed your make-up, use a gentle cleanser mixed with warm water to remove the last traces of that day's make-up. Use your toner once again and follow-up with the nighttime version of your favorite moisturizer.

Following this simple routine will keep you looking glowingly fresh all day, every day

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