How to have great looking skin throughout the Holiday Season

It's that time of year again.... time for parties, family gatherings, company dinners and you want your skin to look fantastic through the entire season. Here are some helpful tips to keep your skin looking great for the holidays:

1. Resist Popping the Pimple: We've all done it, popped a pimple and later regretted it when we saw the red blotchy mark it left. Popping your pimple can make things worse, irritating the skin around it further than it already is. You're also spreading bacteria and even leaving a permanent scar. It's better to treat the whole area to prevent new spots. Have acne? Try Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel.

2. Pucker-up Under the Mistletoe: Chapped lips are always a problem in the winter as your lips do not have hair follicles or oil glands to protect them like the rest of your skin. Try moisturizing your lips as part of your regular skin care routine. Carry a lip balm or use a lipstick, especially one with SPF protection. Remember, licking your lips only makes it worse!

3. Remember to Keep Smiling: As a child, do you remember your mother telling you to stop making that silly face or your face would freeze that way? It may not "freeze that way", but your face will conform to your most common expression. Want a permanent frown? Keep frowning. Want a younger, happy looking face? Keep that smile on your face!

4. Don't forget to Exercise: With busy schedules, exercise is sometimes put on the back burner, assuming it was there at all! Exercise helps relieve stress (a big factor in aging your skin) and increases the oxygen flow to your skin, promoting younger looking skin.

5. Don't Sweat It: Did you know that you can loose up to 2 liters of sweat in an hour?! There is also a difference between men and women; men actually sweat more than women and their sweat has a lower pH level. That's why there are different antiperspirants for men and women.

6. Throw Out Your Old Cosmetics: Take this time of year to review your cosmetics and gauge which ones really need to get tossed. Bacteria can grow on your cosmetics, a danger especially with the products you use around your eyes. A general guide to longevity of cosmetics is:

• Mascara: Maximum of 3 to 4 months
• One year for foundation, oil-based ones can last a few months longer. Remember to review your foundation with what's happening with your skin - maybe it's time for a change?
• 2 years for lip sticks and liners is a general rule of thumb
• Have you cleaned your make-up brushes and applicators? Clean them quarterly or give them the toss

7. Don't Get Sick - Wash Your Hands: Washing your hands often and correctly is an important tool to keep yourself and your family well over the season. Remember it's the rubbing action that gets rid of the germs, so rub 10-15 seconds using soap and warm water.

8. Quit Smoking before January 1st: What are you waiting for? Smoking ages your skin by encouraging more lines and yellowing of your skin. Smoking decreases the oxygen that goes to your skin, giving it a dull look. Quit today and start seeing the positive changes to your skin (and your health).

9. Tweak Your Tweezing: The best time to tweeze is right after you shower when your pores are open and your hairs are softened. Alternatively, try a warm cloth over your brows prior to tweezing.

10. Get Some Rest: It's important to make sure you are getting enough sleep during this busy time of year. sleep is when your body repairs itself. Your skin, hair and nails all show the signs of not enough sleep by becoming dull and dry, and your nails can become brittle.

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, so you should be taking care of it year round! 

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