Keep Your Skin Looking Fresh All Day

Many men and women seem to believe that there is a secret to keeping fresh-looking skin all day; a key to beauty deeply rooted in history that only the rich and famous have access to. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I am here to burst your bubble. The only secret to keeping your skin looking fresh all day, is to take proper care of your skin!

The first and most important step in making your skin appear bright and fresh all day is to exfoliate your skin. What this does is remove the layer of dead skin cells from the surface of your skin and allow healthy skin underneath to shine through. A great exfoliant is common table sugar, or if you are looking to buy something, St. Ives makes a line of exfoliating face scrubs of varying grit that work wonders.

Secondly, before even thinking about applying any makeup you must be certain that your face is washed and moisturized. Washing will get rid of excess dirt and oils that will clog your pores and prevent you from looking as fresh as you'd like to, even with makeup. The best way to keep your face looking fresh is to start with a clean slate - or face, so to speak.

As for makeup, this varies from person to person but there are certainly steps that will work in everyone's favor no matter what their skin tone or type. Before applying makeup apply an all-over face primer. This should be applied after your moisturizer and before any makeup. This will prep your skin for makeup and help it stay on your face throughout the day to prevent the need for reapplications. What it will also do is help your makeup appear freshly applied all day! MAC Cosmetics makes a great facial primer, "MAC Prep and Prime" costs $40 at any MAC store or counter.

Another wonderful way to get your skin into fresher looking condition overall, it is wise to invest in a face mask preferably with as many natural products as possible. LUSH cosmetics have a great line of what they call "Fresh Face Masks" and by fresh face, they really mean fresh! These masks are made with fresh fruits, vegetables and natural oils. By using a mask 1-2 times per week, your skin is conditioned for more long-term health and brightness!

For people with oily skin here is another great tip that I picked up from my mother - carry oil blotting sheets with you in your purse, wallet or pocket through the day. If you have oily skin you know that it can be difficult to keep your skin looking fresh when there is a nice sheen of grease on it. You can pick these sheets up in any drug store or beauty supply store for as little as $4. These are really useful and will help keep you looking fresh all day!