Know your Skin Type
The first step towards beautiful skin is working out what your skin type is. This is necessary so that you can work out how to care for your skin, and what products you should use. Below are the features of the 5 main skin types which you can compare to your own skin type. Once you have decided what type your skin is you can find out what the best way is to look after your skin.
Which of these do you think is the closest match to your skin?
Normal Skin Type
Normal skin does not feel dry or oily.
Pores are visible but not large or clogged.
After a wash it feels smooth and comfortable.
At midday it still looks fresh and clean.
Only occasionally break out in spots.
Caring for Normal Skin Type:
To care for normal skin you should start with a gentle foaming facial wash. Massaging it into your face will give you a rosy complexion. Cool your skin with a refreshing toner. to finish dot moisturiser onto your skin and massage it with your fingers in light upward strokes.
Dry Skin Type
Dry skin has a thin and papery texture.
It feels dry to touch.
The pores are very fine.
After a wash it feels tight, as though it is too small for the face.
By midday flaky patches appear.
Hardly ever break out in spots.
Caring for Dry Skin Type:
For dry skin use a creamy cleanser to melt away dirt. Leave it on your skin before sweeping it away with cotton wool. Splash cold water onto your face to clean and refresh your skin. Use a thick cream moisturiser to seal in as much moisture as possible.
Oily Skin Type
Oily skin feels very greasy.
The texture is often very thick and coarse.
There are large, visible pores.
After a wash it feels fine.
By midday it looks shiny.
Often break out in spots.
Caring for Oily Skin Type:
To care for oily skin you should start with a gentle, foaming facial wash. This will remove dirt and oil without stripping away moisture. Soak cotton wool in a gentle astringent lotion and sweep it over your skin to refresh and cool it. Even oily skin needs a moisturiser, but chose a light, watery fluid; this will be enough for your skin. Allow the moisturiser to sink in and then absorb the excess with a tissue to prevent shine.
Combination Skin Type
Combination skin is normal with a few dry patches and a few oily patches.
Dryness is usually on the cheeks.
Oiliness is usually on the T-zone.
After a wash some areas feel dry and some smooth.
By the midday the T-zone is shiny.
Often break out in spots in the T-zone.
Most women have combination skin.
Caring for Combination Skin Type:
If you have combination skin use a foaming facial wash in the mornings to cleanse your skin. This will keep the oily areas clean to prevent blackheads. In the evening use a cream cleanser to soothe your dry areas. This will keep a balance between excess dryness and excess oiliness. Use a strong astringent for your oily areas and a mild skin freshener for the dry areas. This is not an expensive option, as you will only need a little of each. Use moisturiser on your whole face, but make sure you concentrate on your drier areas.
Sensitive Skin Type
Sensitive skin can be easily irritated.
Typical reactions are itching, burning, chafing and stinging.
After a wash a wash it feels dry and itchy in places.
By midday there are flaky patches and some redness.
Occasionally break out in spots.
Caring for Sensitive Skin Type:
If you have sensitive skin do not use facial washes or soap; instead use a light, hypoallergenic cleansing lotion. Use a moisturiser to strengthen your skin and provide a barrier against irritants. Make sure you use an unperfumed moisturiser so as not to irritate your skin.

masks to get that young glowing face from inside
Face masks make the difference between good and great skin. Try to use a facial mask at least three times a month, especially at the end of summer and the end of winter. When the seasons change your skin changes too. Facial masks can be like a much needed spring cleaning, it will exfoliate your skin and remove any buildup of sluggish cells. A face mask along with daily skin washes will keep your pores unclogged and help clear up blemishes. Face masks can work wonders for your skin and and can leave your skin feeling fresher and cleaner day after day.
With regular use of face masks, soon a new improved version of your face will greet you in the morning. A good idea is to wear a rehydrating sleep mask when you go to bed at night. Apply a facial mask when your skin is showing signs of stress or when you just need a pause from your busy life. Face masks create an illusion and make your skin look tauter, softer, smoother, and healthier.
Many homemade face masks can also make pores appear smaller and make your skin better able to absorb moisture. Don’t forget that as female we especially want to take care of our skin and the neck is important too. There are many facial masks available so be sure to choose the mask that suits your skin type
and pleases your senses.
MASK YOUR FEARS!
Applying a mask is an art. But most of us don’t know that. We just plaster it over our faces so violently that it gets into our hair, our clothes and onto our floor! Take a leaf out of our tip list on how to apply and shop for a mask that’s ideal for your skin type.
HOW TO USE A MASK
. The first step is to equip your makeup kit with a flat wide brush. Avoid fingers!
. Be sure to knot your hair back, or gather it in a scarf or a headband. Your forehead should be completely visible and free of hair.
. Wear clothing that will leave the neck area open.
. Start applying the mask with your brush, using even strokes. Be careful to avoid the lips and the sensitive area around the eyes and include the neck area.
. Retain the mask for at least 20 minutes (unless a particular timeframe is
mentioned on the tube).
. To remove the mask, moisten with some water and rub it off the skin gently.
. In the case of peel-off masks, you will have to peel-off! Also rinse the face with plenty of water, incase the layer persists.
. Use circular strokes.
A few `must dos’ before wearing a face mask.
. Always clean face thoroughly before applying the mask.
. Mask eyes and mouth
area with a protective cream
. Do not allow the mask to crack on face, wash it off with 20 minutes with warm boiled water.
. Apply moisturizer after removing mask.

Makeup and clothing is an issue for many teenage girls. If you are stressing about what you should look like as a newcomer in middle school, or a freshie in high school, here’s a quick guide to help your fashion mature with you throughout middle and high school.
In Sixth grade, wear lip gloss, some mascara, and maybe a little bit of pale eyeshadow; don’t go too heavy or it may look bad. If you want to try out more types of makeup, keep that for home experiments.
As for clothes, keep it in your comfort level. Bear this in mind: if you are wearing a bra or undershirt, don’t let the straps hang out. It doesn’t look cool; it just looks sloppy. If you are wearing a short shirt, check in the mirror to see if your stomach hangs out of the bottom. Otherwise, wear something a little bit longer. Also, if your pants are likely to slip, wear a belt. Belts are totally hip now!
* The main point is to keep the makeup light, and the clothes clean cut.
In Seventh grade you are beginning to care a little more what you look like; you might want to try curling your hair a few days a week, and using different hairstyle besides your typical ponytail.
If you are acne prone, try foundation. Remember thet even oily skin can get flaky and that looks horrible with foundation. So try it on weekends first and ask your mother (or someone that uses foundation well) if it looks okay.
In Seventh grade you might want to try eyeliner. But not too much because you don’t want to look like a racoon!
Start trying to tie outfits together with accessories. It’s good to try new things with your makeup and clothes. But when you try the new things, make sure it looks good on you, not just in the picture or at the store. Check out different stores, and find out if there is a style that suits you.
In eighth grade you are probably getting good at makeup and you know what you like. Try establishing your own hairstyle without looking like everyone else. For example, if everyone has long, layered hair with no bangs, try light wispy bangs and a shorter, layered look.
You might be wearing tighter jeans now and probably starting to get concerned with impressing the guys, so it’s safe to try out more mature styles such as a sleek leather blazer, or lower cut necklines. If you are happy with your sports bra, that is totally OK. But it’s safe now to check out the actual bra department and wear something that makes you feel pretty - like lace.
Ninth grade: high school! This is a big transition. Now in the same world as seniors, you are going to want to look like the rest of your peers. You should by now have your makeup and hair styles already. Try to update this look a bit, because no one wants to carry the same look they had in middle school. Dramatize a detail in your hair. If its known for it’s left side part, part it even deeper. Make a straight style even sleeker and hip. Learn to make youre curls tighter, or looser.
In high school you might want to wear your usual make up during the day, and as you start to go out with friends and boys at night, add a darker shade of eyeliner, or jazz up your lips with something more festive. It’s also good to try new shoes, try wearing spikier ankle boots with a pair of hot jeans and a blouse. Chunkier heels aren’t as hip as spikes as you get older. Incorporate accessories into your outfit. Buy yourself a bag that’s in suede or leather to keep your schoolbooks in, instead of a backpack. You will want to buy yourself a new jacket, and make it your own.
You know what you like, so go and find clothes that fit your style, but crank it up a notch for a more mature feel.