The start to a flawless face is before the makeup; it comes for the care you put into your skin. Taking care of your skin should always be your number one goal, and no, makeup will not magically fix everything. Your skin care needs depends on your age, type of skin and your desired outcome. I am in my early twenties, so I still have young skin that can be problematic; I have breakouts and battle very oily skin. My goal is to clarify, brighten and balance. Below, you will find my daily steps to care for my skin.

Morning routine:

1. Cleansing

My morning routine starts with cleansing. I cleanse with Formula 10.0.6® Best Face Forward Cleanser ($6) or tarte deep dive cleansing gel ($25). The key thing I look for in a cleanser is that it doesn't remove all my oils. It makes sense that if you have oily skin, you would want to wash them all off. However, that takes off the "good" oils as well which dehydrates your skin, which in return causes your face to produce even more oils to combat the lack there of. So, if your face feels tight after washing, it is too harsh for you and is doing more harm than good.

2. Double-cleanse with toner

After cleansing, I pat dry, and never rub, which over time may cause premature wrinkles or just irritate your skin. Once completely dry, I double cleanse in the sorts with a toner. My holy grail toner, Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner Rose Petal ($10). Ever since using this, my breakouts are few and far in between. The most important thing I require in a toner is alcohol-free; just as with cleansers, removing all the oils will cause more to be produced.

Alcohol does sanitize, but the cons out way it because it dries your skin out and irritates it. If you feel the need to sanitize, try Neosporin or medicated spot treatments.

3. Moisturize

I then moisturize with a light weight cream like the MARIO BADESCU Buttermilk Moisturizer ($15) or the CLINQUE Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel ($27).

Always apply your products on your neck, as well! You want a product that will absorb quickly so you can do your makeup or go on with your day without it sitting on top of the skin and being a greasy mess. Moisturizing is often very over looked and viewed as unnecessary.

However, I think is just as important as cleansing. You help your skin stay nourished which in return keeps you looking younger and healthier, longer.

4. Repair the eyes

I then follow behind with an eye cream like IT COSMETICS Confidence in an Eye Cream ($38) or ORIGINS GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff ($31). Your eyes are surrounded by the most sensitive skin on your body. It is the first to show poor health and wrinkle.

So keeping it moisturized and being gentle can help your skin look younger longer. These creams help brighten and get rid of dark circles and plump to hide bags and creases. The best way to apply is with the tip of your ring finger in light patting motions, not rubbing, and a little goes further than you would think.

5. Skin mist for good measure

Finally, if my face needs an extra boost, I top it off with a skin mist like MARIO BADESCU Facial Spray With Aloe, Herb and Rosewater ($7) or SKINFIX Coconut Water Hydrating Mist ($15). It is never too early to apply products with anti-aging properties. It may seem like a lot of steps, but once a routine is set, this will take a max or 10 minutes.

Evening routine:

6. Makeup removal

In the evening, I have a few more steps. I start by removing my makeup with pure coconut oil; I get a nickel size amount and it melts as I work it onto my face. It breaks down the toughest liners, lipsticks and lash glues. It is comparable to the CLINIQUE Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm($30) and is fraction of the price. However, pure oil may not work for everyone. If I do a mask, I do it after makeup removal but before cleansing.

7. Mask

I enjoy the masks: FORMULA 10.0.6 Be Berry Awake Energizing Peel Mask ($7) to brighten and tighten the skin or clarisea Deep Pore Detox Activated Charcoal Exfoliating Mask ($14) to clean out pores and black heads.

8. Cleanse

I then follow with the same A.M. cleanser, however, a few nights a week I mix in a dime size amount of the clarisea Rapid Detox Charcoal Exfoliant ($14) and it lasts me months. I then use the same toner after patting dry.

9. Repairing serum

Then I follow it with my serums. Depending on my current skin's needs, I use the tarte Maracuja Oil ($48) for deep hydration or the MARIO BADESCU Vitamin C Serum ($46) to brighten and firm.

10. Moisturize

After the serum has absorbed, I finish with my nightly moisturizing regimen, the FORMULA 10.0.6 P.M. Perfector ($9) or the NO7 Protect & Perfect Intense Night Cream($25). And then my plumped face and I are ready for bed.

Taking care of your skin can be the most overlooked step in beauty. And yes, it may be pricey to start, but it is worth every dime. My skin has drastically changed now that it is properly cared for, and I urge everyone to try it because you will never regret it!