As a makeup artist, skin is my canvas to work on. It goes hand in hand with incredible looking makeup. For all of my clients I discuss with them in detail their skincare routine. I am no skincare expert, but I have invested lots of time researching products and gaining knowledge so I can give as much information as I can to each of my clients. Enabling them to make informed decisions about their skin and how to make changes to their routine. This will in turn make a huge difference to their skin and ultimately their makeup.
What is My skin Type?
This is the first thing to decipher so you can achieve the best results for you. There are predominantly 4 categories, dry, combination, normal and oily. But you could also include Sensitive as another.
Dry can feel sore, flakey and very tight after showering. Oily tends to be all over, not just on the T-zone (forehead and nose) but on the cheeks and chin as well. Combination can be that you get oily along your t-zone and dry in other areas. Normal means you don't have any dry/oily areas at all. Sensitive can be easily aggravated to certain ingredients. Can also be a little rosacea prone and red in appearance. Many ingredients such as alcohol or essential oils can aggravate this skin type and cause inflammation.
The hard part is we can cross over into each category from time to time. Sometimes summer months skin can differ to winter months skin. I know I need wayyyy more hydration in the Winter than I do in the Summer. So we have to adapt it occasionally to meet our needs and really nourish the skin.
Do I Have Any Problem Areas?
Sometimes we have what we call a problem area or skin condition that needs to be addressed to make our skin look healthier and better visibly. The most common I get from clients are listed below alongside some ingredients and advice that will help for each:
- Redness/ sensitivity
Avoid anything too harsh in chemicals such as things with alcohol in them, or abrasive scrubs with beads. Azelaic acid is great when combined with an SPF.
-Pigmentation
SPF is a must and a good quality serum that targets pigmentation. Ingredients such as Niacinamide and retinoids are best.
- Acne
Avoid alcohol in products and foaming cleansers. Invest in a good quality balm or oil cleansers. Glycolic and Salicylic acids are great to use as well as retinoids.
-Dehydration (yes this can be for oily skin too!)
Invest in good quality serums as well as moisturiser to really nourish. Oils can be great too. Lactic and Hyaluronic acid's are brilliant for hydration.
These areas you can target alongside your skin type to really get the most out of your skincare routine.
What shall I put where?
1) Cleanse
Start by cleansing your skin. Double cleanse if it's the evening - once for makeup and product build up. The second to lift dead skin cells. I always recommend using cleansers that have to be removed by a cotton cloth. Some great ones are:
Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser
Beauty Pie Plantastic cleansing balm
Elemis Collagen Cleansing balm
2) Acids
Dependant on your skin concern this is where you apply your acids next. I like to use on myself some days Salicylic, others Glycolic for targeting different skin concerns. You can mix it up day and night if you prefer. Some great ones are:
Beauty Pie's Micropeeling drops
Pixi Glycolic Toner
3)Serums
These go next and can include some acid formula's within them as well. Again find some that target your skin concern and skin type. Some great ones are:
Medik8 Retinol Serum
Beauty Pie Vitamin C Defense Serum
Oskia Get Up And Glow Serum
4)Oils
These are not essential, but if you are feeling your skin is a touch dehydrated these are best placed here. Some great ones are:
Kiehls Midnight Recovery Oil
Elemis Super Food Facial Oil
5)Moisturiser
Doesn't have to be fancy, but just something to target your skin type. Some lovely ones are:
Ren Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm
Avène Rich Compensating Cream
Beauty Pie Jeju Day/Night Cream
Oskia Bedtime beauty boost
6)SPF
A must for everybody, regardless of skin type or condition. An SPF of 50 is the ideal and to wear this everyday even in Winter/ dull days, as the UV rays can still get through.Obviously this is not needed in your evening skincare routine. Some fab ones are:
Beauty Pie - SPF 50
Le Roche-Posay Anthelios
Facials
I often get asked about facials and whether they are worth investing in. My answer is always yes. They really can benefit your skin, and when you see the right person who can tailor your requirements to your skin needs then its a match made in heaven.
I suggest starting facials around 4-6 months before your wedding and doing a course of them. You will really see the difference after a few months and this will make for better makeup application.
The wonderful Louise from Louise James Health and Beauty is a whizz at facials. She is based in Cheam in Surrey who I always recommend. She also offers a whole array of other beauty treatments as well. Her website is: www.louisekjames.com
Overall
Make sure you start your routine as early as possible before your wedding to see noticeable results. Your makeup will look all the more amazing if it can sit beautifully across the skin. Great skin gives you so much confidence, which is my philosophy and why I love the job that I do. The power of confidence is just wonderful.
Do let me know if you have any questions regarding your own routine - I hope this has helped :)
Comments