Posted on: April 23, 2018 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

There are a few things about beauty, skincare, and makeup that no expert magazine will ever tell you. One of the best-kept secrets of the beauty and makeup industry is the care that extends beyond your face. It is imperative that you do not restrict your skincare routine to your face only. You need to start thinking about the area around your jaws, neck, collarbones, and chest as well. After all, when you head to the party in a strappy number, people are not just going to be seeing your face. 

Have you ever wondered why a lot of actresses from the golden era often swore by scarves and stoles after they turned 30? While they liked to call it personal style statement or fashion, their makeup artists knew the truth – wrinkles and lines in the décolletage area that nothing could successfully hide. Thankfully, makeup ingredients have improved along with creativity and makeup skills. Most actors and models can now hide their lines and other signs of aging under several layers of base, primer, concealer and studio fix. However, what happens when they hit the pool or the sea beach?

Are you already seeing signs of aging in the area around your eyes and mouth? Are there deep lines running across your neck like precious chokers? Is that a new line running down your cleavage? While most people do not realize when these signs sneak up on them, you are smarter than the rest to take notice of these fine signs before they become permanent.

Signs of aging often show up on the facial skin due to the accumulation of sun damage and the lack of hydration. Using proper sunscreen and investing in good hydration restoration creams is one way to prevent further damage. Nonetheless, what happens to the dark circles, puffiness and the crow’s feet that have already made their mark? Do you always have to wear makeup from now on when you appear in public? Do you always have to invest in waterproof makeup for the summers and beach holidays? Do you have to wear makeup in the pool as well? If you do, how far do you apply the makeup to hide these wrinkles and lines? These are plaguing questions that keep a lot of women AND men awake night after night. With each passing day, people are becoming more conscious about the way they look, and presentation is becoming one of the leading factors in personal success.

Why is makeup necessary?

While most people associate makeup with something to hide, we believe makeup can act as a strong layer of protection. Today, most reputed makeup brands include sunscreen formulation and antiperspirant in their products. As a result, a layer of foundation, hydrating makeup fixer or a studio HD fix powder can provide foolproof protection against the damaging rays of the sun. The layers of makeup also keep the pollutants and the dust from getting to your skin. In fact, a lot of people suffering from regular skin breakouts and chronic skin dryness often report a relieve in their symptoms after investing in a pharmaceutically approved hydrating cream, foundation, makeup primer and face powder. Makeup not only has the power to erase a couple of years and hide a few flaws. The right kind of makeup can become your first line of defense against the rising challenges in our regular environment against your skin.

How far should you apply the makeup?

We know good skin-friendly makeup kits can set you back by a couple of hundred dollars. That is why a lot of people try to save their new buys by using as little as possible at a time, but applying makeup right up to your jawline and not going beyond just looks abrupt. Have you ever wondered how actors look so flawless all the time? They have makeup on their face, neck, back and even their hands at a time to cover up blemishes, freckles, lines, and scars. There is very little reason for you to NOT go to your neck and chest while applying makeup.

The neck region takes a lot of direct sunlight during our day outside. In fact, the definition of décolleté includes precisely all the areas that deserve all your attention but rarely get any. Your neck, back, shoulder, chest and cleavage cry for coverage every time you step out in the sun. Be generous with that makeup base from today onwards. Apply tiny dots on your collarbone, along with the main stretch of muscle on your neck and either side of your cleavage. Blend it out with a soft makeup sponge. Avoid using your fingers since your fingers will absorb a lot of the product. Select a product that offers both hydration and luminosity. Move on to your loose top powder and makeup fixing mist to set the formula in place. Remember, to select a tone that goes well with the rest of your makeup and that blends right in with your natural skin.

To give it an extra lift, just apply an illuminator or a highlighter on your collar bones. You can dab the deeper tones (one shade deeper than your actual skin tone) onto the hollows right above your clavicles and in between. Blend the darker shades upwards towards your jawbone with a thicker brush. Tap the brush to get the extra product off and then blend out the lighter highlighter shade sideways and downwards from your collar bones. The lighter shades work towards creating a sense of elevation, and the darker shades create a sense of shadow (or hollow) to accentuate the complementary elevation.

There are a lot of women, who do not like to apply a lot of makeup (and by lot we mean foundation, concealers and studio powders) when they step out for regular work like picking up groceries, going to yoga, picking up the kids or shopping at the flea market. In case, you are one of them, you can totally swear by one of the better and more pigmented color correcting (CC) creams from a pharmaceutically approved brand. BB creams work great too, but they are usually not as opaque. As most makeup experts will tell you, you need to test these creams for yourself before you can decide which one works best for you.

For skin that is showing rapid signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation problems and sunburns, at least tinted moisturizer is a must before leaving the shade of home. You can always prevent all the moisturizer, cream and makeup from washing away with the day’s sweat by investing a few more bucks to buy sweat-proof and waterproof makeup. While it may sound like hoodoo, the real waterproof and sweat-proof makeup works wonders. They provide all-day coverage, and they do not become cakey once you start pulling the Kleenex out.

How can you do something extra for your skin every day?

Pamper your skin! You deserve it after all the hours you spend under the sun. The lines on your neck insist on a well-earned pampering session. You can opt for a full-body massage and spa. You should only opt for expert masseuses, who know how to massage your face and décolletage. Stretching your muscles and tissues in the wrong direction may worsen the wrinkles instead of relieving them. Therefore, while you are checking out massage options on Groupon or UrbanClap, always check if they are trained enough or highly recommended enough to complete your face and décolletage massages.

Getting a spa once a month with rejuvenating essential oils and indulging in aromatherapy once in a while will visibly reduce the signs of aging from your face and your neck regions. Indulging in a spa from a pair of expert hands will help you relax. A relaxed mind translates to a relaxed body, and the results show on your face.

Massages and spas are not a regular option for the most. You can always do something extra and something special for your skin by regularizing your cleaning, toning, and moisturizing routine. In contrast to popular belief, regular exfoliation may not help you with the lines. Exfoliation helps you get rid of the dead cells and cuticles, but it is harsher on your skin than a regular face wash. Try not to exfoliate more than twice a week. People with sensitive skin prone to breakouts should be very careful while choosing their cleansers and exfoliating agents. While moisturizing, try to apply firm upwards strokes. Pressure against gravity always helps a bit to slow the signs of aging.

Fighting signs of aging almost always correlate to fighting to keep moisture in. The lack of enough hydration, rapid drying of skin due to direct sun damage and exposure to UV-A & B rays are the most common causes of rapid aging in people. You can take the first step to win this fight – start by regularly using a gentle moisturizer before you go to bed. Do not apply it to your face; spread it out to your neck, back, chest and cleavage as well. Give your skin the love it deserves.

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