There are many times we’ll put a beauty product on our face without ever really understanding what is in our products, or why they work/don’t work. Whether it’s skin care or color cosmetics, sometimes it’s good to take a moment and observe what’s in your cosmetic bag. So today I want to give my twist on why skin care, foundation, and color cosmetics work for the average woman, and what you could do TODAY to improve your look. Please note this pertains mainly to women who choose to use skin care and color; BUT it may be helpful all around.
1. Skin Care: Over the years the environment and *ahem* gravity work against us when it comes to looking and feeling our best. I’ve had many ladies tell me they didn’t really worry about washing their face (I promise they had normal skin; those of us with dry or oily skin couldn’t get away with this!) and then suddenly – seemingly overnight – they looked in the mirror and said to themselves, “WHERE did THAT come from?! When did THAT get here?! Oh my gosh…I look old.” At that moment, they’ve experienced what we all know to be true: that the environment works against us as we age. So what’s the point here? The point is that this world presents a double-edged sword in the cosmetics world: it can work against us, but funny enough it can also help us.
There are many, many products out there that are not all chemicals; in fact, most skin care products that are proven to WORK also include some sort plant extract, vitamins, or even fruit particles to help combat the signs of aging and promote smooth skin. Just like many moms are checking food labels to see what’s in the food the kids are getting, I encourage you to “read the labels” of your skin care and make sure there are some words you can pronounce.
One last thought on this: I’ve had many people ask me about “all-natural” skin care. The truth is if it was truly all-natural, it would only last 3 days maximum and you’d have to put it in the fridge. So for any woman who doesn’t have the time to create her own skin care, know that there will be some preservatives (which is a good word in the cosmetic world!) in your skin care, and if you don’t see some words you can pronounce, it may be time to look at a new skin care.
2. Foundation: I truly believe that every woman who wears color needs to wear foundation. Foundation uses science to do a multitude of things; from evening out your skin tone to giving you sun protection, to brightening up your face. The BIGGEST foundation question I get is, “What kind works best for me?” And the truth is, look at what others have said about something; review boards are one of the best things ever invented! If you’re loyal to the Mary Kay brand, contact your consultant and ask her to let you try the different kinds of foundations until you find one you like best. The goal behind foundation is this: to create a “clean canvas” to apply color onto and to act like a shield against every day nuisances, like smog, dust, dirt, and grime. Then, many times things like sunscreen or skin brightening components are an added bonus.
The best thing about foundation is the variety! There are many, many different types to choose from, so make sure if you don’t like one, try another!
My suggestion: Take advantage of the 100% guarantee Mary Kay has on all their products…not the right shade? Don’t like the feel? Return it for something else you DO like at no cost to you.
3. Color Cosmetics: Ok, this one has a lot of components to it, so I’ll just touch on one. The main issue with color cosmetics is that women keep them in their cosmetic bag for too long. The reason it’s important to throw old color away is mainly the bacteria that can grow once a color product is opened. You may have to check with your particular brand to see what they suggest, but here are some commonly known expiration dates for color cosmetics:
Mascara: 3 months from the time it’s opened (This one is a biggie!!)
Foundation: 1 year once it’s opened
Concealer: 10 months – 1 year once it’s opened
Mineral Eyeshadows: Most of the time 18 months – 2 years unless otherwise noted
Liquid or Gel Eyeliner: 8 – 10 months max – after that it can be a breeding ground for bacteria!
Lipstick and Lip Gloss: 2 years unless otherwise noted
Pencil Eyeliner: 1 – 2 years, but most of the time it’ll dry out before it expires.
Those are just a few, but I encourage you to do a “spring cleaning” type look at your cosmetic bag and get rid of anything expired or dried out…the ER visit isn’t worth it! Take it from someone who knows 🙂 As always, let me know if I can help you with anything Skin Care or Color related – I may not know all the answers but I’ll certainly work to find them for you!
Kendyl Heins
Mary Kay Beauty Consultant
