Beauty Tips for African and Caribbean

Toner

Toning the skin helps to close pores which were opened during cleaning and prevent impurities from entering the skin.  Good sources of low-cost and easily obtainable astringent are witch hazel, rose water, honey or lime juice. Do not leave the honey on your face; rub it into the skin until it disappears and then rinse. If you have sensitive skin, dilute the lime juice with water before using.

To apply toner to your face, use a cotton ball or a spray bottle that can deliver a fine mist.

NB: Do not use rubbing alcohol on your skin; it is not a good form of astringent even for oily skin. Furthermore, alcohol will only cause the skin to produce more oil to replace what was lost.

Moisturizer

Select moisturizers depending on your skin type, that is, whether or not your face is oily, dry, normal, or a combination of oily and dry. A shine control moisturizer is good for oily skin.  Ensure that your moisturizer has a SPF 15 or higher for added protection.  Do apply around your eyes and use both day and night. 

To get the best results, practice applying the moisturizer with your hands. 

Foundation

Before buying a foundation make sure to sample the product first to ensure that the color is right for your skin. Test the foundation on the inside of your wrist as this area is generally closest in color to your face.

A guide for selecting foundation for African American skin of whatever shade:

1. Very dark skin - use one with a bluish undertone
2. Medium brown skin – one with a reddish-yellow tone should work well
3. Light skin – use a foundation with a golden/yellow bas

Most African Americans have two skin tones, so have two foundations handy, one for the lighter areas and one for the darker areas, and blend them so as to achieve a natural look.

Foundation should also be selected based on whether or not you have oily or dry skin.  If your skin is normal or a combination of dry and oily a moisture rich foundation is your best choice. If you have really oily skin, select a foundation that is oil-free.  As with most make-up, ensure that your moisturizer is SPF 15 or higher.

Apply foundation for best results with your fingers, but if you find it difficult use a sponge. Do not use sponge made of nylon, select one as close to natural fiber as possible.

Finish off your face with powder as this sets your foundation. Keep the use of powder light as our skin can easily turn ashy-gray with too much powder. Also, excessive powder can accentuate fine lines around your eyes and lips. The powder used should be as close to the color of your foundation as possible.