the art of the flawless beat pt.2: Slowing down the hands of time

Have you ever noticed that the makeup or skincare that you’ve been using for the last five or 10 years, suddenly, just does not work for you anymore? Your face does not look as flawless or as radiant as it used to when you used that product in the past!What exactly happened? What changed? There could be a few factors but if I could simplify it to one factor it would be the aging process. As we transition through the aging process the products that meet our skincare and makeup needs should change as our skin changes too. Here are three easy tips you can use to transition your skincare and makeup routine as your skin matures so you can continue to look and feel as beautiful as possible: avoid extrinsic aging factors, identify your skin type & needs at this current moment, and find the right makeup & foundation for your particular skin type.

Did you know that our daily behaviors are responsible for almost 80% of our visible aging changes? When I learned this information, I thought “wow this is crazy!” We’ve all been taught from a young age that we will age like our parents but that isn’t the complete truth. If we want to age on our own terms and with grace, we must learn how to develop daily behaviors or habits that avoid extrinsic aging factors. Here are some common extrinsic aging factors that you want to avoid: direct sunlight exposure (wear glasses, SPF & a hat outdoors), smoking, sleeping in the wrong position (sleep on your back to avoid getting sleeping wrinkles/lines on the face), stress, sedentary living (get up and move) and eating processed foods.

In order to identify what your skincare needs are at this current moment start with identifying what your current skin type is (yes, skin type can change over time). Is your skin dry, oily, normal, combination (a mixture of dry and oily) or sensitive? And if you’re not able to identify your skin type I highly recommend seeking a skin care professional’s opinion. Once you’ve identified your skin type then invest in a skincare system (usually three or four steps/products) that are made for your specific skin type. Additionally, don’t forget to find skincare products for the undereye and hands. The undereye shows the first sign of aging on the face and hands can give away biological age (because they are often overexposed to the sun and can easily spot). And remember, the aging process can start in the mid/late twenties so it’s never too early to get serious about your skincare routine.

Makeup Artist: Ava “Tula” McHenry
Photography; Eva Kmetko LLC
Hairstylist: Ashley Marie Kravetz

How do you find the right foundation as your skin matures? A great place to start is to look for a foundation that is specifically made for your skin type. Also, as your skin matures, avoid products that emphasize or settle into texture (lines, wrinkles, puffiness) on the skin. In other words, foundations that are more full coverage (I’m not saying you can’t wear full coverage, just be aware) or heavier feeling can typically settle into existing fine lines and wrinkles and make them look more pronounced. Using more medium coverage or sheer natural-looking foundation is ideal. Also, by applying your foundation with brushes, instead of a sponge or your hand, you can disperse the product more lightly and evenly across the face resulting in skin that looks fresher.

As time passes everything in life changes and that includes our skin texture, our makeup, and our skincare routine. However, by taking a few precautious steps we now have the knowledge and ability to slow down the hands of time regarding the aging process. I want to encourage you, that no matter your age, it is never too late (or too early) to start learning how to take care of your skin and look your best.