Facial Skincare & Cosmetics

Foundation - Choose a foundation most closely matched to your skin tone. Avoid products that are too 'orange; in tone unless you have an olive complexion.
Powder - Available pressed or loose. Apply with a cosmetic brush for best results.
Eyebrow pencil - As we age, eyebrow hairs become lighter and more sparse. The use of an eyebrow pencil helps to define the eyes and provide a more youthful appearance. Avoid very dark colours which can provide an unnatural appearance.
Eye liner or eye defining Pencil - Enhances the eyes and makes them appear larger. If you are using eye liner, avoid true black which can appear too harsh. Opt instead for grey or a subtle brown. Khol eye pencils provide a softer, more natural looking line round the eyes.
Eye shadow - Available in a whole range of colours. Avoid colours that are too dark or bright. Select colours that complement the colour of your eyes. Best colours for day wear are soft greys and browns.
Mascara - Another tool for making the eyes appear larger. Generally available in shades of black, grey and brown although you can also find shades of blue and green. Avoid water resistant mascara as this 'clumps' easily and is difficult to remove with normal cleansing.
Lipstick - With so many shades to choose from, you should always be able to find one that complements your skin tone and outfit. Available in cream, liquid, matte, semi-matte, frosted, pearl and glossy. Consider the use of long lasting liquid lipstick if you hate leaving stains on coffee mugs.
Lip Gloss - Worn on its own or on top of lipstick. Available as clear and in a range of colours.

To complete your facial routine you'll need to apply a moisturiser. Massage it in gently so it can penetrate beneath the surface layer of the skin. Remember to also moisturise the neck - often a neglected area. Use a good quality night cream or anti-wrinkle cream instead of moisturiser after your evening cleansing routine.

Daily-Weekly Routine
Exfoliate your skin at least once a week to remove deeply embedded dirt and dead cells and from the surface of the skin exposing fresh new skin cells. Use mild facial scrubs that contains polyethylene beads which are smooth and round, or fine granules which soften and dissolve during use. Massage the exfoliator into you skin which will also help to stimulate facial muscles. A number of companies now offer resurfacing creams and home microdermabrasion kits which can effectively remove dead skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and scarring - improving the overall appearance of skin tone. Microdermabrasion products should be used with caution by those with sensitive skin. Try Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturising Peel, Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer, or Fruit Acids Cream by Karin Herzog - an ultra kind, effective exfoliating cream, based on natural fruit acids and fruit extracts. It removes the dull veil from the surface of the epidermis to reveal soft new dewy fresh skin beneath. Available from re-aqua on-line store. If you are seeking an electrical microdermabrasion system, Homedics Facial Spa Ultra Cleansing and Microdermabrasion System is a complete facial system that enables you to cleanse, refine, exfoliate, tone and moisturize your face. Attachments include cleansing brush, small and large suction cups, microdermabrasion sponges and massage rollers.

Facial Sauna - Consider the use of a facial sauna and steamer. Facial saunas can help to deep cleanse your skin, removing impurities and bacteria from the surface of the skin. and unclogging blocked pores. Natural moisture levels are restored and your skin will feel smooth and refreshed. The warm mist also aids skin hydration naturally, promoting collagen production and restoring skin softness and smoothness. Available from our on-line store.

Apply a facial mask. There are many types of masks available including moisturising (improves the skin's moisture levels), mud and clay (good for oily and acne prone skin), gel (cooling effect - good for sun-stressed skin), peel-off (good for clearing pores that have become clogged), and exfoliating (help to remove dead skin cells). For maximum benefits, masks should be left on the face for 15 minutes. Try Avon Solutions Super Hydrating Cooling Mask that hydrates, calms and soothes the skin, or their Clearskin Balanced Cycle Cleanser Mask that helps to control blemishes and balance the skin. For ultimate luxury, Dermalogica's Multivitamin Power Recovery Mask - an intensive masque of concentrated vitamins and botanical extracts calms environmentally-stressed skin, promotes healthy tissue regeration, increases elasticity and moisture content and aids in collagen synthesis, restoring suppleness. Or try Karin Herzog's Essential Mask - an instant pick-up for dull lifeless skin. This non-setting anti-ageing mask works like a facelift and delivers much needed Oxygen to give the skin a breath of fresh air. It tightens the facial contours, brightens the complexion and evens out the tone. Perfect for instant radiance when going somewhere special.

Avoiding Premature Ageing

Protect your skin from sun exposure by using a high factor sun screen or total sunblock. In summer, avoid outdoor activities during the middle of the day. Exposure to harsh sunlight can lead to premature ageing of the skin.

Do not smoke. Smoking increases facial lines and wrinkles, delays skin healing and is bad for you.

Drink a least two litres of water a day. Water hydrates the skin and helps to remove toxins from the body.

Cosmetics

Your Basic Cosmetic Kit

Use instead a facial wash (more suitable for oily and combination skin), lipid (fat) free cleansing lotion or cleansing cream applied with cotton wool pads. If you have dry skin avoid the use of toners that contain alcohol which can further dehydrate the skin. Consider using Avon Solutions or Anthony alcohol free toner, or rose water as an alternative. Extracts of rose and rose oils have been used for centuries due to their moisturising effect on mature skin. Clarins 2-in-1 and Guinot Eau Démaquillante Parfaite are one step cleansers designed to remove makeup from the face and eyes whilst also toning the skin. For extra cleansing use an electrical facial brush. Philips HP5252 Visapure Soft Sensor with cleansing and exfoliating brush heads is an inexpensive system available from Amazon on-line store.