How to Get Radiant Skin & Makeup that Never Looks Cakey

You start the day with a fresh and beautiful face of makeup, but by the afternoon, there are parts of your face that you looks like your makeup has been blobbed on and left for days. What causes makeup to cake or look cakey? How can you avoid this caked on look?

Here are 5 simple tips to keep your makeup fresh throughout the day:

(1) Exfoliate or get a Facial on a regular basis

Exfoliating can make a big difference in the look and feel your skin.
The process of exfoliating involves removing the oldest dead skin cells from the skins outermost
surface. You might have experienced this when getting a facial at a spa. The exfoliation process can be achieved through mechanical or chemical means. If you choose to do it yourself, you can pick up a facial scrub at a makeup counter or a pharmacy. Many lines offer a variety of scrubs. There are some for oily skin, dry skin and combination skin- be sure to select the one that describes your skin type. For years I have used the Apricot Scrub by St. Ives. You want to be gentle on the skin, but to lightly massage the granular beads in a circular direction on your face- be sure to get the areas on your face that have a tendency to be dryer . Be careful around the eye area, the skin is delicate and you don't want to get any inside your eye. Masks can also be beneficial in
rejuvenating the skin. There are some that exfoliate, some that moisturize and some that deep cleanse to help control blackheads or acne.

(2) Cleanse & Moisturize

It's just as important to moisturize your skin as it is to clean it. You should cleanse your skin with a gentle facial cleanser morning and night and then follow up with a moisturizer that works for your skin type. If you have dry skin you may what to use something that is more emollient or thicker. If you are oily you still need moisturizer. Oily skin is actually the most dehydrated skin. The skin tries to compensate for the dryness and produces more oil. I would however recommend choosing a moisturizer that is oil-free and derived from natural plant products (nothing harsh). You especially want to stay away from products containing mineral oil. There are many products on the market if you have combination skin (usually just a little oily in the T zone). Again, it's important to choose the right regimen that works for your unique skin.

(3) Choosing and applying the right foundation

There are many foundations on the market, liquids, powders, creams, etc. You should choose a foundation depending on the coverage that you desire and the texture that you like. For example, if you want a light coverage and you have dry skin you might really like a tinted moisturizer. One handy tip that I've learned along the years is that if your liquid foundation is a bit thick, you can mix in a small dollop of moisturizer to get a lighter coverage. Or, perhaps you want a medium/full coverage of foundation you may like a powder foundation with a matte finish. I'm a die hard fan of MAC cosmetics studio fix. It can be applied with a blush for a lighter coverage or with the sponge that comes with it for a fuller coverage. Keep in mind that when you apply foundation, you don't have to cover your whole face. The goal is just to apply it in areas that you need it, in effort to even out the skin tone. You can use brush or your fingers. With liquids I'm not a fan of the sponge, it seems to soak up to much of the product. Use a light hand when applying, it's easier to add to your foundation later than remove it or risk the "cakey factor". Remember, less is best.

(4) Blot powder or papers

As opposed to touching up your makeup every time you feel that you get a bit shiny, try using a blot powder or paper. This product will allow you to remove the excess oil from your face without adding more makeup. Besides, you shouldn't use a pressed powder for touch-up purposes. The skins natural oils will get on your powder puff and then sink into your powder causing it to harden and be more likely to crumble.

(5) Good skin comes from the inside

Perhaps you've hear the old saying, "you are what you eat". With the convenience of fast food, coffee shops and vending machines. You may not be nourishing your body the way that it needs and this will certainly be reflected in your skin. You need to make sure that you are having a balanced diet including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. You should take a good multi-vitamin as well. It's also extremely important to hydrate which means drinking plenty of water. When you are hydrated, you are less likely to head off to the soda machine. You need approximately half your weight in ounces of water per day. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs, you should try to get 75 ounces of water a day . It's better to not drink too much water at once but to break it up throughout the day. It helps to keep a bottle of water with you at all times. Just remember, if you take care of your body and are healthy, it will reflect in your skin.

Follow these easy tips and keep that makeup looking fresh as the hours pass by. It may seem like a lot at first but after you incorporate these steps, it will become second nature and your skin thank-you. Visit my other links at http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/392608/hope_mitchell.html and always feel free to ask questions @ www.hopemitchell.com