#skin types

I’ve been trying to get into makeup lately, and vkei inspired makeup really calls to me but i struggle with achieving a smooth, clean pale base.

I use Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer for my skincare at night and morning, and I have a combination type skin. My t zone is oily though.

I notice that my makeup tends to separate or “pill” on my forehead, usually around between my eyebrows.

Sure!

I’ve only been tattooing professionally for a year and a half but to my experience everyone’s a little different in terms of skin moisture, elasticity, thickness, softness etc...and there’s a sweet spot in the middle of all of that for like....the perfect tattooing experience at least as an artist.

I mean, a good artist will give you a good tattoo regardless of skin type, we just have to change our approach. For instance if I’m tattooing someone with very dry, rough, inelastic skin (usually older working class white men have this skin type esp on their hands/arms) I have to make sure I’m constantly reapplying glide and and not oversaturating my needles because their skin will soak up excess ink like a sponge and the stain on the skin can make the stencil hard to see.

The whole reason why I set up this blog in the first place is because I’m fed up of reading articles on skincare that only recommend high-end products with extreme price-tags. You don’t have to spend a lot to take care of your skin, especially when it comes down to basic products like cleansers. 

I was given a Drunk Elephant skincare set for Christmas, and it’s the first set of seriously expensive products I’ve ever owned. However, the Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser mini I’ve tried reminds me a lot of Simple’s Refreshing Facial Gel Wash. With such a massive price difference between the two, let’s see how they compare:

Drunk Elephant 

No fragrance 

Claims it’s non-irritating

Cruelty-free

Vegan

Free from essential oils which can irritate sensitive skin 

Free of SLS

Dissolves make-up

Suits every skin type

Recyclable bottle

Key ingredients include virgin marula oil, glycerin and cantaloupe fruit extract

Around £25.00 for 150ml 

Simple 

No fragrance 

Non-irritating

Cruelty-free

Vegan

Free from essential oils 

Free of SLS

Dissolves make-up 

Perfect for sensitive skin in particular 

Non-comedogenic

Soap-free 

Recyclable bottle 

Key ingredients include triple purified water, pro-vitamin b5 and vitamin E

Around £4.50 for 150ml 

Body\skin headcanons

1. Makoto has Vitiligo

It has come to my attention that people are using essential oils ore lately. I’m not sure if its just now or if I have just realized this. But I thought it was very interesting how different oils can do different things for your health. I had heard of aromatherapy before but I didn’t know you can also use essential oils to heal your skin. When I found out I started researching different types of oils and came up with the best twelve and their uses for your skin. Personally, I have not use any oils before but after writing this I’m interested in trying Lemongrass and Chamomile. Below is the list:

1. Lavender: It helps soothe irritated skin and also for cuts and scrapes. It works on all skin types.

2. Geranium: It balances oil productions and conditions skin. It’s good for all skin types. It can be added to moisturizer to control overproduction or underproduction of oils.

3. Basil: Soothes insect bites and it is great for sensitive skin.

4. Frankincese: Can help with pigmentation and also tone and tighten skin.

5. Ylang Ylang: Good for treating oily or acne prone skin and it stimulates cell growth.

6. Lemon grass: Can be used as an astringent and skin toner. It very good for making your skin glowy.

7. Cypress: Shrinks swollen blood vessels and it works as an astringent.

8. Tea Tree: Has antifungal properties. Can also treat cuts and scrapes.

9. Juniper: When diluted can speed healing time and help prevent infections.

10. Chamomile: Can treat cracked, acneic, eczema, inflammation, sensitive skin and rosacea.

11. Clary Sage: Can fight the signs of aging and reduce puffiness.

Aight so it’s no secret that skincare is hella complicated, and step one is usually figuring out your skin type. 

It might be hard to categorize your skin into one of these 3 types, and it might seem like your skin’s mood changes. Here’s a simple way to figure out what skin type you probably have:

 Wash your face and apply your daily, light moisturizer, and nothing else for 2 hours. Then take a tissue, separate the layers, and press one to your cheek. (I recommend the Starbucks tissue, but almost any will work)

          Does it stick? Does it stick initially and then flutter to the floor? (Or onto                the Starbucks table table, or onto the bed. I don’t need your pedantics                  right now, Margaret.) Does it not stick at all?

       2. Repeat this test with pressing the tissue onto your forehead. Answer the             same questions as above. 

       3. Finally, repeat the process with your jawline.

Results:

The tissue sticks to your forehead, and cheek: You have moisturized, oily skin. This usually means healthy skin and you only have to make sure you don’t clog your pores. More on this soon.

The tissue sticks initially to your forehead and cheek, and then falls off: You probably have dehydrated oily skin. This means you either over-wash your face, don’t drink enough water, or do not moisturize enough.      You can confirm this by checking if you have flaky areas near the edges of your nose, hairline, and eyebrows.

The tissue sticks to your cheek and not forehead: Combination oily. The most common skin type, more on this soon.

Tissue sticks to forehead, not cheeks: Combination dry. Fairly easy skin type to deal with.

Tissue doesn’t stick: Dry skin. You might need to use a heavier moisturizer/layer your products more. Full post soon.

If the tissue sticks to your jawline: Your moisturizer might be too sticky/greasy. If you suffer from breakouts along your jaw, please consider swapping it out/using a lesser amount.

I hope this post helped a little, and I’m going to be writing full posts about each of these skin types along with product recommendations for all of them (all products under $20).