Make the cleansing count
You probably don’t give much thought to how you wash your face, but your method matters, whether you use a $3 soap from CVS or a $50 formula from Saks. Make sure you’re making the most of your cleansing routine by following these steps:
* Step 1: Wash your hands and remove your eye makeup so you don’t rub grime and makeup over your skin.
* Step 2: Pat your face with lukewarm (never hot) water.
* Step 3: With your fingertips, massage a dime-sized amount of cleanser into your skin in small, gentle circles. Using too much cleanser is a common mistake that can dry out skin.
* Step 4: Try scrubbing with a soft cloth to lightly exfoliate while you rinse off the cleanser.
* Step 5: Splash your skin a few times with cool water, and pat dry with a clean towel.
Sprucing up in the office
We don’t advise keeping full-size duplicates of your beloved hair straightener and favorite purple eye shadow at the office, but a small beauty bounty goes a long way toward refreshing your look at 5 p.m. Keep these items in your desk for a quick shot of glamor:
* Blotting papers: The fastest (and easiest) way to make your melted makeup and shiny T-zone look fresh and matte. We like Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets (about $5 at drugstores), but napkins or even toilet seat covers will do the trick in a pinch.
* Concealer: Use it to hide a spot that forms after a greasy lunch, or dab it at the corners of your eyes and around your nose to even out your complexion and make you look more awake.
* A nail file: Nothing’s worse than a snagged nail that’s sure to catch on your sweater all day. Stave off pulled threads by filing the offending nail immediately.
Bronze beauty
Things get tricky when it comes to faking a tan on your face. While a lot of self-tanners are meant to be applied all over the face, a full-blown tan in May is not exactly believable. Instead, start out small, concentrating the product on areas where you tan first: forehead, nose, cheekbones and chin. Blend a regular moisturizer into the edges of those areas so you’re not left with streaks or blotches.
