Toners, or fresheners, are the second stage in a daily cleansing program. They are designed to remove any last traces of cleanser, while also helping to tighten and refine the pores and prevent a buildup of dead cells. After toning, your skin should feel revitalized and refreshed, and ready to be moisturized. If you think your skin is looking particularly dull, try patting the toner on with a brisk slapping motion, which will stimulate the blood supply to the surface of the skin.

1 - Choose the toner to suit your skin. Pour a little onto a damp cotton ball — this makes the toner easier to apply and also means you use less of it. Stroke the cotton ball gently over your face and neck using small circular movements; do not drag or pull the skin. Concentrate on the T-zonc and hairline, the areas where you applied most cleanser, and avoid the delicate eye area and the lips.

A Gently pat your face and neck dry with Z~ a clean tissue. If you notice that a toner is beginning to "strip away" your skin, tone with water until the skin becomes rebalanced and then change the product. This often happens With toners that have a very high alcohol content; always check the list of ingredients on the bottle or ask for more information before buying.

Moisturizing

Moisturizers are the final stage in a cleansing program and help restore the moisture loss caused by the diying effects of sunlight, central healing, wind, cold, and pollution. A good daytime moisturizer should contain a sunscreen and will be easily absorbed into the skin. If it leaves an oily film on the surface, it will be difficult to apply makeup on top. At night, you can use a richer, more nourishing cream since this is when your skin most readily absorbs moisture.

1 Choose a moisturizer to suit your skin. Place five small dots of moisturizer on your face and neck (one on each cheek, one on the forehead, one on the chin, and one on the neck). Using your fingertips, distribute the moisturizer evenly all over the face and neck. Always be careful not to use too much moisturizer -the skin can absorb only a certain amount at one time.

2 Stroke the moisturizer gently into the skin using light circular movements. Avoid the eye area which need to be treated.

3 Wait at least five minutes before applying makeup to give the moisturizer time to be absorbed by the skin. If you put makeup on too soon after moisturizing, it will begin to "glide" off your face.

(source: Dk publishing Inc - Classic Makeup and Beauty - Mary Quant)