Moisturizing is one of the most important steps in skincare. All your cleansing products and steps will be useless, or even problematic, to your skin if you don't perform that last step of sealing your skin with a good moisturizer. However, using a moisturizer daily does not mean you are getting the benefits. There are several reasons why you might not be getting the most from your moisturizer.

How to get the most out of your moisturizer.

1.     Don't use too much.

It's okay to want the full effect of your moisturizer, but that won't happen by packing it all on your face at once. Doing this can cause blocked pores and leave your skin feeling greasy. If you have noticed this happening to you, reduce the amount of moisturizer you use on your face at once.

2.     Make sure you are using enough.

When using beauty products, you need to find the balance that works just right for your skin. Moisturizers are not exempt from this rule. Using too little moisturizer will not only leave your skin dry, but it won't perform its basic function as a sealant. This means your face is left bare after cleansing or exfoliation, and hydration will evaporate quickly. This could also lead to the breakdown of collagen in the skin, which could lead to wrinkles and fine lines forming on your face.

3.     Use only on clean skin.

Using moisturizer on dirty skin has very little to no benefit for your skin. Dirty doesn't necessarily mean covered in dirt. It could also mean dead skin cells. Dead skin cells cover up the newer, healthier cells, blocking their path to hydration and nutrition. The best way to prevent this is by exfoliating regularly. The Bareback 2 in 1 Makeup Remover and Cleanser is a good cleanser and exfoliator for your face. If you want a gentle, daily exfoliating product, try out the Tried and True Toner.

4.     Use the right moisturizer for your skin type.

Moisturizers are designed for different skin types because each skin type has its own specific need. Using the wrong moisturizer for your skin can actually make your skin worse and cause problems. When shopping for a moisturizer, make sure you read the label to know if it works with your skin type. Some moisturizers are also for all skin types. These types of moisturizers are a safe bet for everyone.

Do you have any moisturizing tips? Share them below.

Did you hit the alarm a few too many times? You shouldn’t have to pay for missing your alarm by rushing out looking pale and drab. Life is busy. We can’t change that, but we can work around it. To make sure you always arrive at work looking put together, it is important you add some highlights to your features. Doing this obviously includes wearing cowgirl inspired clothes, styling your hair, and putting on makeup, no matter how minimal.

The secret to the 3 minute makeup look is choosing one feature to play with. It could be your eyes or your lips. Take your time to work on one of those and that will be the only thing people will notice about your face.

Here’s a routine you can work with:

Use a BB Cream

BB creams give the combination of moisturizer, foundation, and sunscreen. Using a BB cream will cut a three step routine into one, saving lots of time you don’t have. Apply your BB cream evenly all over your face, and remember to blend into your neck. We recommend using the Bronco BB Cream which comes in different shades to suit all skin tones and the large foundation brush for blending.

At this point, you have to decide if you are going to focus on your eyes or your lips.

For Your Eyes

Choose a bright color that you’re sure goes with your skin tone. A good way to know what color matches your skin tone is to check for the ones directly opposite your eye color on the color wheel (see image below). Apply it to your lid then blend in at the top and outer edges using a shade very similar to your skin color. We recommend our Eye Shadow Trios for these perfectly matched colors. Quickly moisturize your lips using the High Noon Lip Moisturizer or the Bodacious Botanical Lip Gloss if you prefer a glossy look.

For Your Lips

Use a bold color from the Go West Lipstick range to give that pop to your face. Line your lips using a Latigo Lip Liner Pencil similar to the lipstick, then apply the lipstick generously on your lips. Make sure the liner blends in with your lip color.

Apply Mascara

Whether you go for the eye look or the lip look, it is important you apply mascara to your lashes. This help to open up your eyes and add thickness to your lashes. The Lash ‘em Up Mascara contains long lasting ingredients and adds the perfect amount of color to your lashes.

Remember to set your makeup base using the Let’s Ride Finishing Powder for a long lasting stay.

We would love to hear some of your quick tips below.

Beauty Resolutions Every Cowgirl Should Have In 2017

Every year we all promise ourselves we will change something- be better at something- whether we say it out loud or not. Often, these resolutions don’t last beyond the first month of the year (let’s not kid ourselves), but for those things we really want, we usually work to keep our promises.

With the New Year, we hope that more of you are making beauty resolutions, and these are some of the ones we are making to ourselves. Feel free to be inspired, or to straight up steal from them. We are all about sharing (you can have that one too ;).

    Wear Bold Lip Colors

The last couple of years have been all about getting the perfect nude lips. It’s time to go back to wearing striking colors. Check out the Go West Lipstick for an array of beautiful lip shades to choose from.

Moisturize All Over After Every Shower

We can all admit that in some moments of laziness or haste we chose to moisturize only a few, visible parts of our skin. It is important to moisturize all over after every shower to retain hydration in your skin and keep it soft and supple. It is also an important anti-aging step. For best care, we recommend the Churned Butter Body Moisturizer.

Clean Your Makeup Brushes Regularly

Promise yourself your makeup brushes will be cleaned every week. Leaving product on your brushes to collect dirt and particles is only setting yourself up for major skin issues. For many people, cleaning out their makeup brushes is all they need to get rid of a skin issue they’ve been battling with expensive skincare products and appointments.

Never Sleep With Makeup On Again

We all know how harmful this can be on our skin, but we still do it. Make a conscious decision to always head for the bathroom rather than your bed when you come back home from a long day. Go to the skincare section of the store to shop for everything you need to keep your skin healthy.

Switch Up Your Makeup Routine

It’s normal to fall into a routine of doing the same look every day, especially when you’ve perfected it. For the New Year, go out of your comfort zone and try a new eye shadow blend, switch out matte lips for glossy lips, or try out a new lip liner. You’ve probably forgotten the rush that comes with finding a perfect new look, but you can get it back with the new year.

From the Cowgirl Dirt team, we wish you a happy, exciting new year!

Go to the store to shop the products mentioned above. 

Cowgirl Dirt as a brand prides itself on being able to provide amazing products which are made of all natural ingredients. This is because these products cannot cause any short term or long term harm to users. These natural ingredients also come with awesome benefits that work to give you better, healthier skin. Here are some of the major ingredients we use and the benefits you get when you use a Cowgirl Dirt product:

Sunflower Seed Oil

This oil contains healthy fatty acids that help to preserve firmness and tightness in the skin, giving it a smooth, youthful appearance. It also protects the skin from free radicals, preventing damage in the skin cells. This oil is a major ingredient in the Blue Ribbon Face Moisturizer which is perfect for super dry skin.

Organic Beeswax

Beeswax is a very essential skincare ingredient because it literally attracts water. When it is applied to the skin, it attracts water molecules, making sure that your skin is always hydrated. All Cowgirl Dirt products containing this ingredient were made using only certified organic beeswax. The High Noon Lip Moisturizer is made using beeswax to give your lips a dose of intense hydration every time you use it.

Cucumber

Cucumber distillate is a powerful anti-aging ingredient as it contains silica which helps to strengthen collagen and elastin in the skin. It is also very soothing to the skin and is packed with antioxidants. Cucumber distillate is one of the major ingredients in the Moonshine Night Repair Cream.

Organic Aloe Vera Extract

The gel extracted from this plant contains hormones that help speed up healing in damaged skin cells. It also has anti-inflammatory benefits and speeds up skin cell renewal. Organic aloe vera extract is a major ingredient in the Morning Glory Hydration Cleanser and the Morning Dew Face Moisturizer.

Non GMO Natural Vitamin E Oil

This is a major ingredient for lip products. It supplies the lips with antioxidants and protects the top skin layer from free radicals that could harm the skin cells. The oil is non GMO (not genetically modified) and 100% organic.

 Macadamia Oil

This oil is very important for soft, supple, and well moisturized skin. It contains Omega 9 which promotes skin regeneration. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to prevent water loss in the skin. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy/oily film on the skin. Macadamia oil is one of the major ingredients in the Moonshine Night Repair Cream.

Go to the store now to shop the 100% all natural products you need for a good start to your year!