I have always felt the natural look is best, for me anyway as I have always been more into skincare than makeup. I don’t believe any makeup can look that great if you haven’t got a good base to start with. If you don’t take great care of your skin and still expect a perfect finish, its like putting wallpaper over bobbly walls.
In order to maintain the naturalist look possible means your skin has to be pretty decent without any make up to start with.
My favourite look is a dewy glowing complexion which consists of very little make up – tinted moisturiser, concealer and mascara (which is usually brown as I want it to look at natural as possible). I love the off duty model look which I think Miranda Kerr carries off perfectly.
To achieve a glowing complexion I believe starts with good cleansing. I read a lot in magazines and online from experts and makeup artists that suggest you shouldn’t be wasting your money on an expensive cleanser because you are basically going to wash it down the sink within a few minutes of applying it. Whilst I agree that not all products out there are brilliant just because they cost a small fortune, I do think it is worth investing in a cleanser that works for your skin.
So here are my tips on how I achieve my glowing skin
1. Know your skin type
This is crucial to understanding which cleansers/face creams are best suited to your skin, which in turn will enable you to get the most out of your products.
>> More information on different skin types
2. Cleanse Cleanse Cleanse
I tend to have quite dry skin, which can become particularly over sensitive in the winter months. I use my Clarisonic Mia cleansing brush with Eve Lom Morning time cleanser in the evenings only.
Why am I using a morning time cleanser in the evenings you may ask? I find Eve Lom’s original cleanser is too harsh for my skin. The morning time cleanser is more of a balm do it doesn’t irritate my skin at all. Unless I am in a hot climate, I only cleanse once a day (in the evening), if you have oily skin you may choose to cleanse in the morning too.
The Claudia Fallah cleanser is Azulene Gel Active and I love it because the smell is gorgeous. Everytime I pump it on my hands I take a deep breath and smell the lavender and it feels sooooo relaxing. It really does cleanse and doesn’t leave any residues. I actually look forward to that smell at the end of the day.
3. Exfoliate
Exfoliating is so important to keep your skin fresh, clean and to get rid of dead skin cells.
I am fortunate that I don’t suffer many breakouts but I believe using an exfoliator once a week keeps my spots at bay, and any harboring underneath the skin get drawn out a lot quicker. My favourite is Eve Lom’s Rescue Mask, I leave it on for 15 minutes and wash it off with a muslin cloth.
RECOMMENDED: Gentle Exfoliant Crème from Claudia Fallah
4. Use a facial oil
I love Pai’s Rose Hip Oil. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t believe facial oils make your skin greasy or produce more spots. I use a facial oil once a week or more so in the winter if my skin is feeling particularly dry. Massage a few drops onto your skin before you sleep and you will wake up with an instant glow in the morning!
5. Wear an SPF
I wear an SPF cream all year round. Regardless of whether its blue skies and sunshine or cloudy and grey, my favourite is La Roche-Posay. This product is great for sensitive skin in the sunshine.
SEE ALSO: Tanning: SPF in makeup
6. Have a facial
I try to book myself in for a facial every 4-6 weeks dependent on how my skin is looking. It is one of my favourite luxuries that I like to book weeks in advance just so I can look forward to it! My Favourite is Eve Lom’s Signature Cleanse at The Sanderson. I always have a ‘Beauty Smoothie – skin glow’ after which is heaven!
I do understand that this is an investment but it’s worth having to keep your skin in tip top condition. The extraction is awful at the time but it is so worth it for the results after, my skin is left glowing for weeks.
7. Drink Water
I have been drinking 2-3 litres of water daily for as long as I can remember. Some people find it hard to understand how I remember to drink this much but I can’t understand how people forget! I believe this is number 1 to achieving glowing skin. It cleanses your body from within and stops the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I ignore all of these so called ‘glowing juices’, as nothing beats water in my opinion.
8. Use a Hydrating Mask
I use a mask once or twice a week and it is especially great for travelling if your skin is feeling dry and tight after a flight. My favourite is Aromatherapy Associates Rose Hydrating Mask, I leave on for 10-15 minutes, my skin feels instantly hydrated and fresh.
9. Go 1-2 days a week Makeup free
I believe you have to let your skin breathe and the only way to do this properly is to keep your face free from make up. It is also a great way to see your skin at its natural best.
10. My Make up essentials
I wouldn’t say I am anywhere near as obsessed with Makeup, as I am Skincare. Although I use very little, the essentials I use have to be good as this gives me the finishing touches to my aim for a ‘glowing gewy complexion’.
– Chantecaille Tinted Moisturiser
– By Terry Concealer
– Becca Mascara
But without all of this, my skin mantras I live by are – ‘What you eat reflects your skin on the outside’ and ‘the less products you use, the less your skin has to react to’.
This is my skinspiration 🙂 I hope you take some inspiration from it.
