Life changing beauty lessons learned from Youtube

One thing I am not is an expert on beauty things. Fashion is my thing and I can promise you that they are not one and the same. I love a good face beat from a professional makeup artist but I am not a pro at makeup by any stretch of the imagination. However, now that I am a woman of a certain age, I have started to pay more attention to my skin care in order to maintain my youthfulness as long as possible. Sidebar: Why do we rebuke aging so much? It’s a natural part of life… but that’s a conversation for another day. 

Thankfully, my favorite beauty gurus have shared their skin care tips for free 99 on good ole YouTube University. Sidebar again: I honestly don’t know how women of the past learned anything not taught in school without the convenience of the internet. I can’t even imagine life without it. Though that may be so far from the truth, Youtube sometimes feels more valuable than a college education because the courses are unlimited AND FREE but I digress. 

Here are some great beauty lessons I learned from watching the best beauty gurus:

The 60 second rule

I never timed myself when washing my face but when I tried doing it for a whole minute, I realized that I never took this long to cleanse before. My skin has been loving the extra TLC this simple change provides. Also double cleansing is a game changer. Use an oil based cleanser first followed by a water based cleanser to ensure your skin is super clean especially after wearing makeup. 

The danger of harsh face scrubs 

I used to strongly believe in St. Yves Apricot scrub until I learned that it was an abomination for our faces. Basically the sugar like particles are too abrasive and as a result create microcuts below the skin’s surface which damages it over time and can make hyperpigmentation worse. That was news to me. Jackie Aina recommends the Dermalogica microfoliant which is gentle enough to be used daily.

The importance of sunscreen 

Jackie Aina has said that she wears sunscreen even on cloudy days, even when she’s not going anywhere because it’s that important. Honestly, I’m not sure where the myth comes from that black people don’t need sunscreen but I’m glad I found out that it’s basically needed every day, no matter the season. 

The correct way of applying product

I always applied my facial lotion in a circular motion as I rubbed it in but I found out that pulling downward on the skin can cause premature aging and excessive wrinkles. Now that I’ve been educated by the experts of Youtube, I apply my products in an upwards motion and do more of a patting motion than rubbing. 

The helpful trick to combat shine

If you struggle with oily skin especially during the summer months, it’s really helpful to use setting powder after applying your primer. By doing so, you add an additional layer of protection against the shine that the oils produce. To go along with that, I’ve learned that those who have oily skin should not refrain from using oils on their faces. Once you apply the oils to your routine, you trick your skin into believing that it has enough oils so it produces less of it. Mindblown! 

The temperature of the water matters

I already knew cool water was preferable especially when it comes to washing your face but I didn’t quite understand the science behind it. Showering or washing your face with steaming hot water damages your skin barrier. This is a hard one for me because my hot showers are hot hot. It’s easier for me to follow this principle during the summer when cold water feels refreshing but it’s important to do this even when it’s cold out. Lukewarm / cool water is the way to go. 

Have you learned anything from a beauty guru that has improved your beauty routine? Which one of these tips are you planning to incorporate in your regimen?