Identifying Skin Types.

In the time I have spent working as a makeup artist, I have realized one of the major mistakes people make is identifying their skin type.
It is my absolute pleasure to help clear up these not so simple skin misunderstandings.

Recognizing your skin type is fundamental to ensuring proper care and application of makeup; always be mindful that some skin types may have multiple characteristics.

Normal skin is (in my opinion) the rarest type to possess and obtain. It is clear, supple and wonderfully smooth! Pores are minimal, skin tone is even and your skin is neither dry nor oily. With this skin you can wear any formula of foundation that your heart desires. Count your blessings if this belongs to you!

Oily skin will have a sheen and can be problematic. Don't feel bad - oily skin tends to age beautifully! This skin type is usually caused by excessive secretion of sebum leaving your pores clogged and feeling sad; powder, oil free liquid or duel based foundation will suit you best.

Dry skin has a very low sebum secretion level causing a flaky, dull appearance. Occasionally dry skin can be associated with sensitive skin reacting quickly to different environmental factors. I truly believe that dry skin is the most overlooked type out there - it is almost always confused with oily skin, a mistake I made myself. Sometimes when your skin is extremely dry (tends to happen when living in Calgary) it will over produce sebum causing it to appear oily and problematic; a great way to solve this problem is by taking a shower and addressing how your skin feels when you dry off. If it feels tight and maybe even a little (or a lot) scratchy, then you my friend have dry skin. Liquid, oil based or hydrating formulas of foundation are a nice fit and don't forget to moisturize before!

Combination skin seems to be the most common type I run into. A mixture of both oily and dry (usually dry in the cheeks and oily in the t-zone), this can be the most tricky to treat and occasionally needs not one but two different fixes. Don't ever feel that you can't use more then one product on your face to solve this issue. Liquid foundation (oil free or moisturizing - maybe a bit of both), powder and tinted moisturizers will make your face happy.

Always keep in mind that if you have sensitive skin it is best to sample any and all products prior to use. Don't ever feel bad asking for a sample!

When applying your foundation always go in the direction of your hair growth.

One more tip:
Our skin is like shingles on a roof - cleanse in an upward motion to remove dirt and residue from under the skin and moisturize in a downward motion to hydrate but avoid clogging our pores. You may also use toners but why add another step if you don't have to? Find which skin care techniques best suit you and stick with them but please ensure you always, always, ALWAYS remove your makeup before bed!