African American Teen Beauty Tips
As a teenager, you are probably beginning to establish a routine for your hair and skin care. African-American skin and hair has a wide variety of tones, types and textures, therefore requiring slightly different attention than other ethnicities. Know how your own skin and hair react to different products and methods, then gradually establish a beauty routine that keeps you looking your best as you grow into a young adult. Does this Spark an idea?
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Toning Cleansers
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Most stores that carry toiletries and skin care products have a section specifically devoted to African-American skin. This is because African-Americans have a wide variety of skin tones. Maintaining combination skin can be a challenge for any ethnicity, but light-skinned African-Americans are particularly prone to blotchy or uneven skin color. As your body grows and changes, purchase cleansing products designed to even out your skin color. Specialty soaps cleanse without clogging your pores and even out any blotchy spots without having to cover spots with make-up. These cleansers are often simply called "cleanser" or a "bar" because "soap" refers to specific agents that are known to dry out skin. Nevertheless, cleansers and body bars do the job that soap does, without the drying or skin-clogging effects of more standard soaps.
Moisturizer
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During your teen years, your skin may become dry and itchy faster than it did when you were younger. In part, this is because African-American skin is more prone to dryness than many other ethnicities. However, another factor is that all people have changing hormones during their teen years. You may sweat more easily, your pores become wider and therefore clog more easily, and your body goes through a variety of changes that may cause your skin to feel--and even smell--different. Choose a facial moisturizer that is "non-comedogenic," meaning it won't clog your pores. Choose a body moisturizer that is rich but fast-absorbing; cheap and thin moisturizers tend to sit on your skin and evaporate, leaving your skin feeling tight and dry again within no time. The best time to apply lotion is right after your daily shower, so it can absorb into your open pores and leave your skin feeling smooth while you feel refreshed and smelling good--without having to use any drying body sprays.
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Make-Up
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The teenage years are when girls want to experiment with make-up. Ask your parents' permission before you take on the task of learning how to apply make-up. Not only can it be expensive, but many parents have very strong feelings about whether or not their teens are allowed to use make-up, and when. Once you have permission to use it, the key with African-American skin is to not use too much. Whether your brown skin is light or dark, the wrong colors can become a make-up disaster for African-American skin. Always purchase trial-size containers of make-up before spending a lot of money on full-size products that may not look right on you. Foundation is often not necessary as a base for brown skin, since consistent use of facial toners and cleansers often evens your complexion just as well. Always use a gentle, non-comedogenic facial moisturizer before applying make-up, then start in small amounts. Practice with your make-up and use make-up remover pads before starting over again, since too much facial soap can cause skin irritation. When you've found the colors and brands that work well with your skin, apply it in small amounts and never rush make-up, since your face is the first thing that people see.
Hair
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African-Americans have such a wide variety of hair textures, no one solid rule applies for all hair types. However, the teen years are a time when you become more responsible for your own beauty maintenance. In doing so, it is important to get to know your own hair by carefully trying different products and choosing what works best for your hair's health. Keeping black hair moisturized is essential to growth. Washing your hair too often can dry it out, while not washing it frequently enough can lead to dandruff that is all-too-obvious in black hair. Keeping the roots moist with an all-natural moisturizer is essential for scalp care, but using too much hair grease, too often, can also clog your scalp's pores and prevent growth. Keep your hair wrapped at night in a do-rag or nylon scarf to prevent friction that could damage your hair or ruin any set style. Maintaining your African-American hair can be one of the biggest beauty challenges of your teen years but, with dedication, this responsibility comes with the reward of healthy and beautiful hair.
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References
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