Hair and Skincare! Part 1 - The Basics
One of the most frequent questions I get is about makeup and skincare. It's a minefield, honestly, but here are some basic tips and steps:
Skin
Figure out your skin type. The main skin types are dry, oily, combination, sensitive, normal. Once you know which type you have (you may have to do some research first) you can buy things that are appropriate for your skin type to keep it looking fresh and healthy
Use face-specific products. The skin on your face is different to the skin on your body, it's thinner, delicate, and is often smoother, it also produces oil differently. When using skin products, ensure that they are specially made for the body part you're using them on! Once you find a nice product for your skin, it can often be used under makeup as a base
Hair
Figure out your hair type: your hair type is based on the texture of your hair (curl pattern), beyond that, it can be "trained". Once you know your hair type, look up specific instructions for caring for it. Read shampoo and conditioner bottles and make sure that it is suitable for your hair type
Training your hair: frequently clipping your hair back into a style (eg a side fringe/bangs) will make it eventually grow that way. You can also train your hair to not get greasy as quickly, washing it less frequently allows the natural oils to stay for longer which makes your hair healthier! It takes a looooong time, but try to slowly go longer between washes. Wear a shower cap if you're between washes and you can always wear a silk bonnet at night. I started washing my hair every other day, then after a couple of months, every 3 days and so on. Now, I only need to wash my hair roughly once every 5 or 6 days depending on the weather!
Use heat protector. If you're using hairdryers or straighteners, use a heat protector. They often come in an easy spray bottle and really do help your hair to not get damaged by the heat. If you're trying to grow your hair out, it's best to leave it alone as much as possible so avoid damage which can lead to it breaking
Condition the ends! When you wash your hair, shampoo once to get the grease and dirt off, then shampoo again to get the product absorbed properly (you'll need a lot less product the second time). Conditioning just the ends or mid length to ends helps prevent breakages and splitting which will allow your hair to grow longer. Try to avoid conditioning your roots, this can make your hair greasy quicker and could interrupt the balance of natural oils
