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Beauty

How Do I Choose the Best Skin and Beauty Products?

By Sheri Cyprus
Updated May 17, 2024
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Keeping your skin type, age, coloring and preferences in mind can help you choose the best skincare and beauty products for you. When selecting skin and beauty products, it's best to pick quality over quantity, since you're likely to be better off with a few items that really work to flatter you rather than a large collection that doesn't. Reading reviews and doing other research on products you're considering can help you decide whether they're worth trying. Using testers or trying travel or small versions of skin and beauty products can let you try different formulas to find which are best for you before spending a lot of money buying larger sizes of brands you may not end up liking.

A daily skin care regimen should suit your age and skin type. If possible, get advice from a qualified cosmetician since a daily skincare system can be an investment in cost as well as time using the products. Many skincare companies offer trial sizes plus help choosing the formulations closest to your skin type. Make sure any skin and beauty products you buy are also designed for your age group. Don't overlook details such as the addition of a sun protection factor (SPF) in your skincare and beauty items.

Assessing and keeping a list of your specific skin and beauty needs before shopping for these items can help you focus on getting the best products for you. For instance, if you have dry elbows and heels, noting this on your product shopping list can help you remember to check out the different product options for treating this problem. Also consider skin and beauty products that may suit your preferences better, such as replacing bar soap with shower gel.

When choosing cosmetic colors such as foundation, eyeshadow and lipstick, it's best to do this in person in a store so you can try different samples or testers. Oftentimes, you can test these on the back of your hand by holding it up to your face, which can be much more hygienic that trying tester samples of skin and beauty products on directly. When looking for foundation, pick one that seems to almost disappear on your skin because it blends in so well. Consider choosing lipstick colors that seem to have the same undertone as your lips. The right eyeshadow colors for you make your eyes appear brighter.

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Discussion Comments

By ddljohn — On Jun 22, 2011

You could also speak to a beautician who can give you advice about what you should use. If you go to someone who is an affiliate of a specific brand, they might not be too objective and might try to steer you towards their products. But there are also lots of professionals in the field who are happy to give advice without asking for a commitment to a brand.

I was once told that I should not mix skin care brands together as that would make it impossible for my skin to adapt. I listened to that advice for years until I found out that it is not true. I now mix brands and my skin has never been better. So, don't hesitate to ask for advice, but also do some research yourself.

By discographer — On Jun 20, 2011

Finding the right products and the right shades is not so easy! It really takes a lot of knowledge, time and effort. I am a big fan of makeup and beauty blogs and read them on a daily basis. The more I read, the more I realize how little I know!

But I've definitely gotten better at it in the past year. I now have the right products for my skin that suits my skin type and doesn't aggravate my acne. I'm still working on the makeup part which is a bit harder to keep up with because there are so many brands and they keep introducing new lines and colors all the time. But I have learned which shades to avoid, which is definitely a step in the right direction.

At the end of the day, choosing the right products for you will take some trying and failing, until you find the perfect ones. I agree that you should try samples before buying full sizes of anything. I also recommend reading reviews of products online before you decide to try it out. If you can find a blogger who has the same skin type and interests as you, that could tell you all you need to know about a product. This way you can save a lot of money. Otherwise, the beauty trials and experiments can end up costing you too much!

By burcinc — On Jun 18, 2011

I think that my decisions about skin and beauty products are based on my preferences and financial situation. Sometimes I have the luxury to select higher end products which cost more but which free me of my conscience. These products have no chemicals, little or no additives, are made with organic, natural ingredients and guarantee that animals have not been tested on. When I use these products, I know that I am not harming myself in the process and that no one else was harmed while producing it either.

Sometimes though, I can't afford to pay for organic, vegan and cruelty free products. At that point, I try to buy less but still give in to lower quality for the sake of not ending my beauty regimen altogether.

If you can afford good quality natural products which are also safe for the environment and animals, I think you should not opt for anything else. I would definitely only use these products if I could afford them.

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