Tipping Thursday: Skincare Part IV-Determining Your Skin type

This week's Tipping Thursday is all about figuring out what your skin wants and needs by determining your skin type.  Knowing your skin type is key to picking the right cleanser, moisturizer, and even make up.  And knowledge is power, people!    

There are several basic skins types. They include:

Normal: For the most part, your skin behaves.  It's not too oily, it's not too dry and it doesn't break out frequently or excessively.  It's not sensitive to fragrances or dyes or things like that.

Dry: Your skin is sometimes ashy-looking or flaky in areas.  It lacks enough natural moisture and can get irritated easily because of this, causing flakes or red patches.  It can feel tight and uncomfortable.

Oily: Your skin goes a little overboard with the natural oil production and needs a little help to tone it down.  Your skin feels slightly sticky to the touch, even after washing and is super shiny.

Combination: You have both dry and oily skin.  Generally combination skin has an oily T-zone, which is your forehead, nose and chin and normal cheeks or dry cheeks.  Or you could have a combination of normal and dry skin.

Acne-prone: You get break outs, you get them often and they're pretty intense.  Most of the time, acne-prone skin types have excessively oily skin, which is what leads to the breakouts.  But there are other factors behind acne-it could be stress or genetics.  Knowing what's causing your breakouts is the key to treating them.  If you have acne-prone skin, I would strongly suggest seeing a dermatologist to figure out what's causing your acne.

Sensitive: Your skin is extremely picky about what you can use on it and it punishes you when you try something it doesn't like.  Usually dyes or fragrances or other synthetic materials found in facial products irritate your skin on contact, causing a number of unpleasant side effects, such as breakouts, red bumps, flakiness and itchiness.

Which skin type are you?

Once you've figured that out, here are some suggestions on what to look for in the products that you use based on your skin type:

For normal skin: Lucky you, you can use just about whatever you want.  It's pretty much just trial and error until you find what you like and what works best for you.

For dry skin: Look for cream cleansers or moisturizing cleansers that aren't too heavy.  With dry skin, heavy moisture just sits on top of the skin and doesn't get absorbed, so you want a lightweight formula that is fast-absorbing so that if you need to do a few thin layers, you can without gunking up your skin.  Also, products designed for sensitive skin are great because they are really gentle and won't irritate your skin, which is often a big problem for people with dry skin.

For oily skin: You want a cleanser that is especially designed to break up oil without being harsh and over-drying, which will actually make your skin more oily that it was before.  Stay away from synthetic oils-products that are "Oil-Free" are your best friend.  Lightweight moisturizers that are fast-absorbing are great for you as well because you'll only need one thin layer and your skin sucks it up and puts it to work where it needs it before the moisturizer has time to sit on top of your skin and draw out the oiliness.  Toners with alcohol are your friend-they will help clear up excess oil without over-drying, leaving your skin ready for the rest of your routine.

For combination skin: Depending on what your combinations are, look for something targets your specific areas of concern and follow the suggestions in the other categories.

For acne-prone skin: Again, I suggest you go to your dermatologist to first determine what the cause of your acne is and then go from there.  Your doctor might suggest a stronger type of skin care, such as Proactiv or a prescription or a simpler solution.  If you don't know what's causing your acne, you wouldn't be able to clear it up.  

For sensitive skin: I suggest you go all-natural.  There are so many options nowadays in this area.  Look for products with all-natural ingredients, as these tend to be much more gentle on the face or ones that have soothing ingredients, such as oatmeal.  Aveeno makes a great line for sensitive skin.  If it's perfumes or fragrances that irritate your skin, look for fragrance-free options.  Many products come in a "for sensitive skin" option.

Who's That: Announcements!!

I don't have anyone to feature today.  With the computer breaking unexpectedly, I wasn't able to contact the people I wanted to feature til just this past Monday.  That, and I've been crazy busy.  BUT I've got some great things in the works and some wonderful blogs for you to meet as well as some fab giveaways.  So you'll just have to wait : )

And don't forget to get your entries in to me for the Fashion Friday giveaway!

Hand-made Goodie of the Week: Hand Print Frames

I did these last year for Father's Day as gifts for our dads and my hubby.  But they make a great Mother's Day gift, too.

You'll need:

Double-opening frame

Pictures

Alphabet stamps or markers

Ink pad

Solid colored paper

Little hands : )

Cut your paper to fit one of the openings in the frame.  Ink up your little one's hands and do the hand prints in the center of the paper-you'll want to leave enough room to write/stamp and not have anything cut off by the frame.  Once the ink is dry, stamp/freehand/what-have-you around the handprints "Best ________ Around, Hands Down!"  Insert picture of your little one and presto!  You're done!  

Mini Va-cay

I know I just got back, but I'm going to Miami tomorrow with my mom and brothers.  Thus, I will not be able to give you a goodie to make.  BUT I will be back Wednesday, full force with TWO posts to make up for it.  So, until then, don't forget to send me fashion pics!  I want 'em and you might win some fun stuff!

I'm Baaaack!!!

Hooray!  Got a new power cord and am back up and running.  It's been a crazy/hectic past few weeks.  Here's the highlights:

*Our pet ball python, Kail, escaped from her enclosure not once, but twice.  In the four years we've had her, she has never, ever gotten out.  The first time, I found her right away.  The next day, not so lucky.  Had to wait for the hubs to come home and take out the dishwasher, where she was hiding on top (in between the space above the dishwasher and the counter.)  We got her out and she is (still) safe and sound in her cage.

*We got a new washer and dryer-yay!  It flooded my hallway the very first time I used it-boo!  Of course, this happens as I am literally out the door to take my brother home then head to the airport to get my husband.

*The hubs accidentally took my cell phone with him when he left for one of his business trips.  I had no phone for a day, then I was finally able to get ahold of him using the phone in the office of our apartment complex. His work was gracious enough to let me use one of their spares.  Unfortunately the first one they lent me didn't work.

*First night with no phone, Bobby starts having a coughing attack at 11 at night, can't catch his breath and is wheezing, so I had to pack him up and take him to the ER.  Luckily, it was just sinus drainage and an ear infection.  A few days of antibiotics and he was good as gold.

*Took an impromptu trip up to Atlanta with my two brothers and sister to see my dad.  Had a great time.  He loved having some time with his grandson (whom he hasn't seen since he was a week old.  Bobby is now 16 months old.)

*Dyed my hair.  It's darker.  I like it.

With that said, I really haven't had time to be crafty.  I wish I had some totally awesome projects to show for all my time "off."  BUT I do have some things in the pipeline and there is some fun new stuff up in our Etsy shop that you should totally check out.

I'm doing a Fashion Friday giveaway.  Check out the details here.

And, as always, if you want to know something, just ask!

what photography equipment do you use?

I have a Canon Rebel 35 mm that I adore to pieces-it is definitely my camera of choice and I'm saving up to get an SLR version, a Nikon Coolpix for just messing around and an Olympus E-20 N SLR that I use on my photo shoots and weddings. It's an ok camera-it takes very nice pictures, I just don't like it. It's not very user friendly. And I have a brand new MX 2000 tripod that I'm very excited about.

Just ask.