Understanding my skin and its unique needs has come with time, and at the ripe age of 31, I feel like I might just be getting it right. Of course, I’ll always welcome fresh game-changers into my wash bag, but for the most part, my complexion is pretty happy with me, so I prefer not to mess. As the old saying goes -'if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.'
My only wish is that I’d taken some beauty advice more seriously when I was younger. So, to my younger self, and to everyone else out there, these are the things I wish I’d done sooner.
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| Beauty Essentials |
1. Drink more water
Everyone has been saying it for years - and for good reason. Water cleanses us from the inside out, which is why it makes such a huge difference to the way we look. All the toxins that water flushes out of our system, together with its instant hydrating properties leaves us looking fresh, youthful and pretty darn fabulous. I just wish I’d drank a bit more of it when I was younger! *Sigh*
If you're one of those people that struggles to drink water and you need some tips on how to make hydrating a little more fun, check out my post 'How To Drink More Water Without It Feeling Like a Chore.'
2. Use hand cream
I feel like the hand cream hype is actually more of a recent thing, but I do recall my mum always carrying a little tube around in her handbag and applying it after washing her hands etc.
Hand cream is so important as it helps pump the moisture back into our mitts after washing, showering, bathing and whatever else we might have been doing. It keeps the skin on our hands plumped up and luscious, just like our face cream does with our face.
Hands are one of the biggest age indicators, and as we get older, they are one of the first things to show it. Keep yours looking youthful by applying cream as much as poss. My fave at the moment is the Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Touch Hand Cream.
3. Apply eye cream
And another one - eye cream. I actually find eye cream pretty hard to shop for as I hate those that pill. Personally, serums are my preference, but I’m any case, I do regret not applying one more frequently in my 20’s. My faves at the moment are the caffeine solution and the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, which is a cream, but it never pulls - just sinks right in and provides a major moisture surge.
4. Don't overdo the fake tan
Oh the number of times my mum would tell me I looked better when I wasn’t orange - I couldn’t possibly tell you. It’s honestly innumerable. Would I listen? No way. My signature tangerine tint was my pride and joy for way too long. Fortunately, despite still loving my trusty St Tropez Classic Bronzing Mousse, I have learned how to apply tan effectively and that I don’t need quite so much every single day. Oh to be young, foolish and orange again. Those were the golden days.
5. Do not over-pluck your eyebrows!
Yikes. Over-plucked brows are enough to send a shiver down my spine these days, but whilst I was never one to rock the full on 90’s pencil brow, I definitely did get a little too excited with my tweezers on occasions. My mum always warned me about messing with my eyebrows, but I thought I knew better. I soon learned that my wonky twizzles provided absolutely zero improvement to my overall aesthetic, and nowadays in particular, I am extremely careful with my Tweezerman.
6. Always take your makeup off before bed
Another age-old beauty tip - always take your makeup off before you go to sleep! And this one really is so so so important. Even if you don’t break out easily, wearing makeup to bed stretches the pores of the skin and contributes hugely to premature ageing.
I used to be one of those that refused to take my makeup off before bed when I had a boyfriend (I was about 16, in my defence) and I honestly look back and cringe. My poor pores. Please accept my *very late* apology.
7. Moisturise every day
Even if you’ve got oily skin, applying moisturiser is essential. I’m Taft, those with oily skin need to paynpwrtouat attention to this tip as moisturiser scruallh tricks the skin into thinking it has produced oils naturally, so it has actually been found to minimise breakouts in those with acne-prone skin. B interesting!
A good moisturiser protects the skin as it provides a barrier between your skin and the outside world. It also provides a great base to makeup, fabulous follow up to any products that might remove natural oils and generally leave the skin looking plump and supple. I love the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base. It's pretty pricey, but it lasts for absolutely aggggessss, smells insane and works like a dream. Highly recommend.
8. Don’t pick your skin...ever
Pickers and squeezers, if you haven’t already, then it really is time to kick the habit. Trust me, that tiny blackhead that isn’t remotely visible to anyone besides you and your magnifying glass will not look any better once’s you’ve prodded, poked and maybe finally (if you're lucky) extracted. Instead, you’ll be red, blotchy, fed up and layering concealer on the aggravated area for the foreseeable. Imperfections come and go, but the best thing you can do is have a strong skincare routine that will ensure any blemishes disappear in their own time.
9. Keep it natural
And finally, when it comes to makeup, keep it natural. And when I say natural, I basically mean don’t layer the foundation on copiously. Try to keep it fresh and clean, but still glam, if you so wish. I recall a phase where everyone was slathering MAC Studio Fix Foundation on their face like it was cement, and all we were doing was making a fabulous product look anything but. Still, we live and learn, right?
I really hope you enjoyed this blog post and for those of you that need to hear it, always take your makeup off before bed - and drink lots of water!
I can't wait to share more with you all soon.
Lots of love,
Grace x
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