Your Skin Profile
Latinas beautifully encompass the spectrum of skin tones. Keep your skin looking lovely by figuring out your skin profile. There is no one "Latina skin," so you need to know if your skin is dry, oily, combination or sensitive. Lifestyle matters, too. Are you a daily beauty ritual kind of woman, or do you need something on the go? This information can help narrow down the right products for you.
Find Your Red
Red lipstick looks great on all skin tones — don't believe anyone who says otherwise. Whether you want a juicy apple red, a more subdued brick red or a deep, dark red, you can wear them all. Remember how good Selena looked rocking her signature red? You'll hit all the high notes when you wear this classic color. Pro tip: Red lipstick looks amazing paired with soft tan or raspberry blush.
RELATED: 5 Steps For Perfect Red Lips
Hyperpigmentation
Splotchy skin can have several causes, including your health, sun damage, skin care history and certain cosmetic procedures. This affects people of all skin tones, though darker skin can be more sensitive to irritants that can cause hyperpigmentation. If this is a concern for you, focus on caring for your skin and protecting it with SPF. You can also consult a dermatologist about a chemical peel.
SPF Myths and Tips
You might have heard that those blessed with darker skin tones don't need sun protection. Wrong! Every skin type and tone needs SPF year round. Sunscreen can leave a noticeable white cast on our skin due to its active ingredients. Avoid this by dabbing SPF into your skin and waiting until it's fully absorbed, at least 15 minutes, before applying makeup.
Outlast 3-in-1
Between getting lunches and backpacks packed, busy Moms don't have time for laborious beauty regimes, but we still want to look our best. Not an impossible request, right? CoverGirl has just the answer to your morning routine. Their 3-in-1 everything foundation is a primer, concealer and foundation in just one step. The result is always a lightweight feel with full coverage. So now that your morning beauty regime is set and you look flawless before 8 a.m., maybe now you can sleep in a few extra minutes or finally get to enjoy that cup of coffee before the morning mayhem starts.
Learn More at COVERGIRL Embrace Your Face
Rethinking Nude Lips
If you search for nude lipstick, you'll find plenty of pale pink shades out there. But these may not look nude on many of us. Experiment with different colors. You might find your true nude lip with hues more along the lines of apricot, dulce de leche or chocolate.
Your Natural Beauty
For the longest time, our beauty ideals were controlled by others and you might have felt as if you had to change yourself to fit the mold. More than ever, unique beauty is what's in style. So wear those lush full brows if you have them. Don't feel you have to conceal those beauty marks that make you, well, you. Take a day off from makeup altogether. Our real beauty lies within.
Pigment Matters
It's all about color payoff when it comes to makeup. Pearl eye shadow may pop on dark skin but look like a mere highlight on lighter skin. Likewise, a blush that looks bright on lighter skin might look muted on darker skin. Always consider your makeup's pigmentation. If you want bolder makeup looks, you need products with richer pigments.
Stay Supple
Dryness can cause itchy, flaky skin, which is more noticeable if you're olive-skinned or darker. Sometimes, the culprit is our face wash. Nip this problem in the bud by washing with a gentle cream cleanser. Follow up with moisturizer. I keep a sample size of my moisturizer in my purse for touch-ups during the day as needed.
Controversial Creams
One kind of skin product marketed to Latinas, especially those with darker skin, are "lightening" or "brightening" creams. These can be harsh on your skin and should be avoided. Remember that skin care is a lifelong practice, and you want your skin to look great for decades. Also remember that as the newest generation of Latinas, we can shape our own beauty ideals and embrace our natural selves.
Nurture Dull Skin
If your skin looks dull or ashy, it's time for a gentle exfoliant, a nourishing mask and moisturizer. You might use one of the tried-and-true recipes your mom passed down, or hit the beauty counter for something new and notable. The grayness is caused by dead skin cells that need to be sloughed off. The skin underneath will be noticeably more healthy and glowing.
