I have a deep, dark confession. I am one of those controversial Aestheticians that loves makeup.

There, I said it. 

There are varying opinions when it comes to makeup within the Aesthetics community. I have heard it argued that if you spend a lot of time and money on using quality products and having clear skin, that you shouldn't need to wear makeup. "Why have clear skin, and then pack cosmetics on top of it?" Here's my feeling on it, I don't want you to NEED to wear makeup. My goal as your Aesthetician is for you to have such clear, luminous skin that you feel good rocking it sans makeup. If you feel like you need to wear makeup in order to cover up issues with your skin, or you're using makeup that is causing issues with your skin, those are points we need to address. Makeup isn't an either/or when it comes to skin care.

Which brings me to my next point, healthy skin is a canvas for the most gorgeous of makeup applications. Have you ever seen someone with makeup that is caked over blemishes or they're attempting to fill in scarring or lines? It's distracting, right? All of the best makeup artists I know emphasize that you need to take care of your skin first. You should be cleansing, toning, exfoliating, moisturizing, and wearing an SPF. Those makeup wipes that you buy at the drugstore are NOT enough! At-home care on a daily basis (and in office treatments if they're within your budget) is the only thing that is going to result in clear, healthy skin. We live in a culture that's obsessed with anti-aging, and I'm of the mindset that preventative care is a must. 

Makeup is fun. And it's transformative. Saying you don't need to wear makeup is like saying that you have a really practical pair of flats, so you don't NEED that fun pair of heels. Perhaps it's not a need, but life is short. If you have an artistic hand and you feel like it helps you express yourself, then you go girl! Just please don't to do it at the risk of your skin health. Here are a few tips to help you balance the two. 

* Be religious about your skin care. Clear, hydrated skin makes the best canvas. Properly exfoliated skin serves as a fantastic, smooth canvas for your makeup. 

* Prime your skin. Using a primer not only can help you with specific skin concerns (drier skin? Use one that's more moisturizing. Oilier skin? They make primers for that, too) but it also gives you a barrier between your skin and your makeup. This means it gives your pores a bit of a break, your foundation will bind to your primer, and you can be less concerned with it clogging your pores. Finding a primer with a sunscreen saves you an added step. 

*Choose a foundation that is suited to your skin type. Drier (or more mature skin types) benefit from foundation that has hydrating ingredients, or mixed with a moisturizer. Water based or powder foundations work better with oilier skin. 

*Consider a mineral makeup. I personally love mineral makeup because it's not full of junk that is going to irritate your skin, or cause breakouts. Mineral makeup is free of emollient oils, alcohol, waxes, preservatives, and fragrances. Those with Acneic skin or Rosacea particularly benefit from mineral makeup because many minerals have soothing properties, and won't cause irritation. Mineral makeup binds to the natural oils in your skin (rather than seeping into your pores), it offers UV protection, and acts as a protecting agent against free radicals (the little guys who contribute to aging). You can also rest easy knowing it's free of carcinogens (cancer causing agents that are in many products). 

* Clean your implements! Most people do not clean their brushes often enough. If you suffer from frequent breakouts, it could be the product you're putting on your skin, but it could also be that you're spreading bacteria between your skin and your brushes/blenders. Cleaning them regularly helps prevent this. 

* And lastly, after every application thoroughly cleanse your face to remove all traces of makeup. When I wear heavier makeup for a special event, I do a double cleanse and tone to ensure that I'm not leaving anything behind. Did you know sleeping in your makeup can speed up the aging process? True story. Those UV rays we were talking about earlier bind to your face makeup and you have prolonged exposure to them if you aren't cleansing your face at night. 

I think one of the best signs that you've got your skin care dialed in is that it's gorgeous enough to go makeup free. That's the dream, right? But for those days that you feel like you want to do it anyway, practice your art responsibly.