One of the best investments you can make is on quality leather shoes. The only catch is that you must take care of those shoes religiously. A quality pair of shoes will last you a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. Also, the products you use on your leather footwear do not have to cost more than the price of the shoes. There are a number of tips to help you maintain those leather shoes so they will not only last longer, but will maintain a great look.

The first thing to remember is that two pairs of good quality leather shoes will last more than twice as long as one pair. This mathematical impossibility is nonetheless true, because by purchasing two pair of leather shoes, you can wear one pair every other day and allow the shoes to dry on a cedar shoe tree to absorb the moisture from your skin and from the leather while still holding the shoe in the correct shape. In this case, 1 + 1 = 3.

Cleaning your leather shoes is largely a matter of daily care and daily attention to any blemishes. Using all natural shoe care products allows the leather to breathe. Suggested cleaning products include those made specifically for leather, such as saddle soap. If you use saddle soap, and follow the treatment with mink oil, you will almost always have great success in keeping your footwear looking like new. These products can be found in most areas where shoe care items are found. Goop hand cleaner which can be found in most automotive supplies stores is another great product for getting the leather clean, without damaging the product. Goop is waterless and is excellent for removing oil and grease from the surface of the leather. Pine gum will help to restore your shoes when they are the victim of small nicks, scratches and cuts. This product soaks into the leather and serves as an excellent camouflage. If the color of the leather has faded, pine gum will help to restore the color and appearance.
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Once you have spent some time improving the health of your skin and giving it the tools it needs to rebuild itself, you can work on establishing the best possible maintenance routine.  Remember that habits are made in three to four weeks.  Start with what you know you can follow for those three weeks.  If that means just working on establishing your skin maintenance routine for a month, then your hair routine, that’s fine.  Just don’t forget your foundational routine improving your nutrition, hydration and rest!

FACIAL SKIN MAINTENANCE

Cleansing

All makeup should be removed before bed each evening.  There are a countless number of products for cleaning your skin, with different formulas for each skin type.  Unless you use heavy makeup, it’s easiest to pick a cleanser that also removes makeup.  Another option is to just use makeup remover or oil on eye makeup, as foundations and blushers usually come off easily with most regular cleansers.  Either way, clean your facial skin every evening before bed, and again in the morning.  If you’ve cleaned your face properly in the evening, morning skin will just require a light washing to remove sebum and sweat and prepare your face for your makeup.

If using a water-based cleanser, wet your face with lukewarm water.  If using an oil-based cleanser, apply directly to dry skin.

Using your fingers or a soft cloth, gently apply cleanser in small circles over your face, working from your nose to your hairline.  Don’t forget to apply cleanser to your neck, using soft swipes upward towards the jaw line.  Be careful not to pull or stretch the skin when cleansing.

Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.  If you are planning to take a shower or bath, apply your cleanser before getting into the shower/tub to give it a few minutes to work on your skin.
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Most skin care products and treatments target specific problems like blemishes, enlarged pores, dryness, wrinkles, or sagging. This can lead to the erroneous belief that clear, firm, smooth skin is always at its best. However, the people who benefit the most from many skin treatments and facial masks are people who already have healthy skin and want to make it even more radiant. An intensive moisturizing session or a fruit based mask full of valuable nutrients can infuse your face with a beautiful glow you may never even have dreamed of. People with healthy skin don’t always realize that there is more they can do to play up this feature. If you have good skin, it is time to ask yourself what you can do to make it great.

One mask that works wonders on a clear, smooth complexion is a simple mixture of two teaspoons of milk and two tablespoons of honey. To try this relaxing treatment, steam your pores open by letting your face hover a few inches above the surface of a bowl filled with boiling water. Add a few teaspoons of an aromatic herb like lavender for an exquisite scent, and drape a towel over your head to stop the steam and the scent from escaping. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for five to ten minutes. This will open your pores, which makes it possible for your mask to penetrate deeply into your skin and deliver the moisture and nutrients that will increase your skin’s glow. Apply the honey and milk mixture with your fingertips, smoothing it over your face and throat. Relax for ten to fifteen minutes, letting this sweet mask do its work. Then, rinse away the mixture with warm water, splash your face with cool water to snap your pores shut again, and gently pat your skin dry.
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