Your 20s are truly a special time in your life—you’re embarking on your own exciting adventures, meeting new people, and learning a ton of new things about yourself.

Now that we hooked your attention with all that good stuff, allow us to drop some truth: your skin is never going to look as good as it does right now.

As alarming as that sounds, it’s an unfortunate fact: around 25 your body’s natural collagen and elastin production dips off significantly, which means you suddenly have a whole new set of skin woes to worry about. (This can be especially discouraging if you’re still dealing with lingering acne from your teenage years.) You’ll thank yourself in the long run if you implement the following skincare commandments ASAP.

 

1. Never skip sun protection 

Whether you live in Seattle or Los Angeles, protecting your skin from UVA/UVB rays on a daily basis is non-negotiable; this is the #1 commandment in skincare across all ages, and is especially important in your 20s.

While the primary goal of sun protection isn’t to keep you young forever, 90 percent of premature signs of aging are caused by inadequately protecting your skin from sun exposure. Other unfortunate side effects of sunbathing are the darkening of acne scars, stubborn hyperpigmentation, the depletion of you skin’s ability to stave off breakouts, and the most obvious: skin cancer. 

In addition, be mindful of passive sun exposure throughout the day. Wear a light cardigan in the car when driving, a loose-fitting ball cap when walking to the subway to cover your face, and don’t be afraid to look silly carrying a sun umbrella with you to outdoor events—your skin (and immune system) will surely thank you. 

 

2. Start cleansing properly 

While removing makeup before bed is absolutely paramount to the health of your skin, it’s unfortunately not enough to swipe a wipe across your face and call it a night. Without a proper double cleanse—that is, using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser—each night you’re allowing oil, sweat, makeup, SPF, and pollution to burrow deep within pores. 

If you’re not susceptible to breakouts, you may not realize the damage that is being done to your skin—but rest assured that if you’re not removing these irritants completely each night, your skin will suffer the consequences over time. Two cleansers every time you wash your face might seem like a pain, but it is well worth the additional step. 

 

 

3. Stop scrubbing 

A shocking amount of products targeted to treat acne-prone, oily, and combination skin still contain harsh physical exfoliants (it’s absolutely wild to think that in 2020 there are new walnut scrubs still making their way into people’s Instagram shelfies). The jagged shapes of these exfoliating particles are most effective in scratching and tearing at the surface of your skin—not clearing away oil and grime. 

Rather than pay for a product that causes more harm than good, embrace the use of exfoliating acids and targeted serums in your skincare routine. Acids in skincare help to dissolve the bonds between dead and dry skin cells, and some acids are actually humectants, meaning they help the skin retain vital moisture and combat oiliness.

If you’re struggling with persistent acne in your 20s, incorporate a salicylic acid-based cleanser into your routine every few days and follow up with a niacinamide serum at night. Struggling with a dry and dull complexion? Rather than slough away a layer of dead skin with a damaging scrub, follow up your AHA treatments with a hyaluronic acid serum. 

 

4. Focus on prevention 

Your 20s are the perfect time to start focusing on preventative skincare products and techniques because, as with most things, prevention is a lot easier than recovery! The best way to ensure your complexion remains glowing for decades to come is to focus on a key ingredient and a couple skin saving good practices starting now. 

Vitamin A goes by several different names in skincare—such as retinol and retin-A–but no matter what, the formulation of this important youth-preserving key ingredient can come in many forms. 

In your 20s, there is no reason to go all out with a prescription strength form of Vitamin A, unless you are still battling heavy breakouts. In that case, it’s best to consult a dermatologist for a full-strength treatment. For the average 20-something, regular and proper use of a retinoid will be more than sufficient. 

 

 

5. Get your beauty sleep 

In addition to daily sun protection and proper cleansing, another good practice to begin in your 20s isn’t just beneficial for your skin. Sleeping on your back rather than on your sides and stomach is better for you skin. 

Obviously, the most important aspect of “beauty sleep” is getting a consistent 6-8 hours nightly, but if you absolutely can’t stand sleeping on your back or need to sleep on your sides for health reasons, invest in a silk pillowcase to alleviate irritation and fabric creasing against your skin. 

 

6. Focus on your food

As much as we all hate to admit it, what you put on your skin isn’t nearly as important as what you’re putting in your body on a daily basis. As collagen and elastin production begins to slow in your mid-20s the food (and alcohol) you’re consuming on a regular basis will start to show its effect on your skin, so this is the best time to create well-rounded eating habits. 

Healthy fats obtained from nuts, fish, avocados, and olive oil are essential to a healthy complexion, as is drinking plenty of water every day and eating leafy greens. Your 20s are also when doctors recommend the beginning of yearly physicals and blood panels, which is especially helpful in keeping an eye on any vitamin deficiencies and hormonal imbalances. Discuss your potential need for any supplements to compliment your diet with your doctor. 

 

7. Don’t forget about your neck

Forgetting to take care of the delicate skin on your neck is a mistake that we are all guilty of making, so making a point to develop the habit in your 20s is especially helpful in the long run. Your neck is just as susceptible to the damaging effects of sun exposure and inadequate cleansing and moisturizing as the skin on your face, so be sure to include it in your overall care routine. 

 

The post 7 Skincare Commandments for Your 20s appeared first on The Everygirl.

When the first Twilight movie came out, I spent an unfathomable amount of time googling what makeup Bella wore. I watched video after video on everything the makeup artists on set used to make these people look naturally beautiful—you can tell they’re wearing a little makeup but like they slapped it on in the car mirror and tousled their hair before walking outside. Little did I know all of that googling would lead me to the very trend that has dominated the makeup industry in the latter half of the last decade: “no makeup” makeup. 

Whether you’re calling it glass skin or Sir John’s “boy beat,” makeup that looks like we’re just naturally radiant and put-together has been everywhere in the last few years. As much as I love trending watercolor eyeshadows and blush draping and all those makeup trends that act like a piece of artwork on your face, there’s something about a natural face once in a while. And for those of you who prefer to keep it minimal at work or don’t like the heavy feeling of makeup, this trend was practically made for you. 

Effortless makeup looks are almost entirely about the products. Ahead, I’m detailing my favorite products that help me achieve the look—from brushed-up, feathery brows to tinted, balmy lips to highlighted skin.

 

Skin Prep

 

Base Products

 

Cream Cheek Products

 

Eyes

 

Lips

 

Tools

 

 

The post These Products Will Finally Help You Achieve “No Makeup” Makeup appeared first on The Everygirl.

The conversation in our office often turns to one of two things: Trader Joe’s or beauty products. So it’s only fitting that we discuss what happens when those two topics merge — our favorite beauty products that you can pick up at TJ’s! You (like me) might not even realize how expansive the beauty and skincare section is, but there really are some amazing — and most importantly, affordable — options to grab on your next cauliflower gnocchi run. 

Whether we like it or not, the cold winter months are quickly approaching, and we need to do everything we can to make them a little bit more bearable. Our editors swear by a few essential Trader Joe’s products to get us through the whole year, but especially though those brutal Chicago winters. Here are the TJ’s beauty products we love the most:

 

 

 

 

 

The post Our Editors’ Favorite Trader Joe’s Beauty Products appeared first on The Everygirl.

I read an article on The Everymom about “mom confessions” recently, and it got me thinking about my own confessions. Of course, I had to relate it back to my beauty routine.  I forget to do my morning skincare most days of the week, meaning I rarely apply moisturizer under my makeup. I only recently realized my skin texture had changed enough that I actually have to start wearing powder now, so I’ve been rocking shiny face for probably a few months at this point. I curl my lashes after my mascara is already on to give them even more “va-va-voom”—makeup artists would cringe. I grab for products that aren’t always the best for my skin type in the honor of “trying new things.” Trust me: I consistently do the wrong thing when it comes to beauty, and I write about it every day for crying out loud! 

I’ve been watching makeup tutorials and reading every “Beauty” section of a magazine since before I can remember. So, you’d think I’d have some natural skill when it comes to applying my makeup. While I definitely don’t object when someone compliments my makeup (It’s a whole thing—I’ll gladly take ownership over how bomb my eyeshadow looks, but tell me you like my outfit, and I’m all “It’s from the clearance rack at Target!!!!”), I also don’t have all the answers.

My makeup routine has gotten pretty stale and repetitive over the last few months, so in an effort to learn some new techniques and boost my creativity, I took stock of my routine and scoured the Internet, Instagram, and YouTube to figure out exactly what I’m doing wrong in my routine and where I can improve. If you’re also doing these things wrong, I hope we can both learn from my mistakes. And now, we roast me! Yay! 

 

1. Not using eye cream before concealer

As stated above, I’m not necessarily good at remembering to do my skincare in the morning. I assumed there would be no difference in how my makeup applied. Welp, after reading pretty much every single article from a makeup artist, I decided to actually try it. To the surprise of probably no one but me, adding eye cream in the morning made a world of difference. My concealer stayed longer, it looked hydrated at the end of the day, and it limited creasing. Adding that layer of hydration before going in with a concealer provides a barrier between the makeup and your skin, so there’s less possibility of the product sinking into the skin instead of sitting nicely on top. 

 

2. Not using setting powder

When I first moved to Chicago, I had normal-to-dry skin. My cheeks would get a little flaky or patchy in the winter, but overall, my skin type didn’t affect how I wore makeup. Then, after an allergic reaction, my skin went uber dry. I’d wake up with tight, cracked skin that was irritated and itchy. Then (this is a real saga here), somehow in the last six-to-eight months, I’ve entered the realm of combination/oily skin. Excuse me? I barely knew how to take care of my normal-to-dry skin; how the heck do you expect me to deal with this thing I’ve never dealt with before?! It’s sabotage if you ask me. Anyway, makeup for oily skin is something I know absolutely nothing about.

Because my skin has always been prone to looking and feeling dehydrated at the end of the day, I’ve skipped powder for the last few years. I’ve been noticing my foundation disappears halfway through the day anymore and tried primers and setting sprays to stop the problem. Turns out, my oily skin just needs that one product back in it to keep my makeup in place. But how do I keep the dewy skin look I love while getting rid of the shine? Celebrity Makeup Artist Katie Jane Hughes understands this problem, and in all of her Instagram tutorials, she sets the center of the face (under the eyes, the nose, the sides of the nose, center of the forehead, and chin) with powder to keep the makeup in place and get rid of shine in the areas you don’t want it. A gloss on the cheeks is gorgeous and healthy, but glossiness on your forehead and chin tends to look like you dipped your face in a fryer at McDonald’s (no judgment, girl, we love those fries). You can use a sponge to help blur your pores in these areas or use a small, fluffy brush to make it look like you’re not wearing powder at all.

 

3. Applying contour too low

Priscilla Ono, Global Makeup Artist for Fenty Beauty, has a special technique that helps you apply contour in the perfect place for your face. Instead of placing your contour right in the hollows of your cheeks, Ono suggests placing it just slightly above wherever you want the contour to be. You’ll blend the contour down, whether you’re using a sponge or a brush, which will place it in the exact spot you want it. As soon as I tried this trick, my contour immediately looked better. Beforehand, my contour always looked heavy and never actually made my face look slimmer; it just added extra product for no reason. Once I started using Ono’s tips, I started believing in the magic of contour yet again.

 

4. Not tailoring bronzer to your skin tone

It’s common for your skin tone to change a little bit once winter rolls around. Mine changes to an extent that is laughable. I have olive skin that tans easily in the summer—like, two hours in the sun, and I have to move up two foundation shades—but my skin goes back down to “Fair-to-Light03” by December. My skin feels like it’s always a different color, and I can’t buy a new bronzer every week for my different skin tone! So since the winter started, I’ve been forgoing bronzer in an effort to not look insane. 

Celebrity Makeup Artist Delina Medhin (whose client-list includes Issa Rae, Ilana Glazer, and Phoebe Robinson) and Beyonce’s MUA Sir John suggest that the most important part of bronzer is the undertone. If the product is easily blendable, it can be a little too dark or light if the undertone is right for your skin. Focus on finding a product that matches the undertone of your skin instead of something that washes you out. Bronzer is supposed to look like natural shadows and natural color from the sun; so, using a shade that doesn’t match the undertone of your skin is a dead giveaway that you’re wearing a bronzer. It also can do more harm than good using something that doesn’t match. Adding a grey-toned bronzer to yellow/warm skin can make you look muddy and dirty rather than like a glowing goddess, whereas an olive or warm bronzer looks orange and like a bad self-tan accident on cool or pink undertones. 

 

5. Using too light of a lip liner

Lip liner can be an art-form. Makeup artists—like Ariel Tejada, who works with Shay Mitchell and Kylie Jenner—and beauty gurus have shown how to make it look like you have lip fillers just using different shades of lip liner, and it’s a reminder that makeup can basically do anything. Whether you’re just adding lip liner to add a lil’ somethin-somethin’ to your overall lip look or want to overline, using the right shade is imperative.

I’ve typically been using a light pink lip liner under most of my lip glosses, but MUAs have shown that using a shade slightly darker than your natural lip shade basically acts like a contour for your lip line. Opt for something with a brown hue to really add to the contoured lip look. This can accentuate the lips you already have and blends perfectly with lipstick and lip gloss.

 

The post Everything I Was Doing Wrong in My Makeup Routine, According to Makeup Artists appeared first on The Everygirl.