This month our resident beauty queen the professional make-up artist Natalie Piacun from TAW salon on The Pantiles talks us through her top tips for switching up your skincare routine for spring…
With spring and all its blossoming beauty just around the corner, it really feels like we’re finally shedding the very long winter season. As we transition between frosty temperatures and balmier sunny days, it’s the ideal time to switch up your skincare regime. Why not follow my five-step routine which will help you achieve a beautiful, fresh faced glow – which also creates the perfect base for make-up. More on the latter next month…
FIVE TOP TIPS TO PERFECT SKIN:
Step one
Cleanse: Do this both morning and night. This is an incredibly important step as it rids the skin of excess dirt, dead skin cells, impurities and make-up. Maintaining a clearer and more radiant skin is an essential part to a glowing complexion. Skipping this step can lead to breakouts, dehydration and even premature ageing. I highly recommend the newly reformulated Eau Thermale Avène cleanser collection which is made with up to 99% natural ingredients for a soothing, skin reviving cleanse. With a gentle, non-abrasive cleansing experience, it’s enriched with skin-loving Avène Thermal Spring Water and packaged in practical, eco designed bottles, made from recycled plastic. Where time is of the essence try my go-to Avène Micellar Water 400ml £19.75 available at Boots, nationwide www.avene.co.uk
Step Two
Exfoliate: Make sure you do so once or twice a week and be consistent with this game changing step. It not only removes dead skin cells and improves brightness and texture it also enables a more porous base to absorb all the goodies from your skincare routine.
Step Three
Target: Applying specific products such as face oil, serum, Hyaluronic acid, or Retanoids is another turbo boost for the skin. You can add instant moisture to dry skin with Hyaluronic acid and stimulate collagen production with a retinal cream for example. The key difference between retinal and retinol is that the former has been clinically proven to work up to 11 times faster than retinol. If you’re concerned about skin sensitivity, try using a retinol product before starting with a retinal.
I’m a big fan of daily face massage with a luxurious oil, and also use a serum to target multiple layers of skin. This boosts collagen, firms and plumps out fine lines and wrinkles, and also targets dark spots, overactive pigmentation, dehydration, and scaring.
I’m loving Lumene Nordic Radiant Youth Pressed Serum with an added skin treat Lumene Radiant Youth Night Elixir a concentrated oil-in-serum duo. £44.90 available at Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Look Fantastic and Sephora.
Step 4
Moisturise: Use a lighter moisturiser by day and a heavier one at night. For itchy or dry skin you can lock serious moisture in courtesy of a thicker ointment such as an emollient. Thinner creams are best for normal skin types whereas moisturising lotions are a good match for more oily skin – as water is their main ingredient. Try Gatineau’s Hydra Aura Water Cream – a fresh gel with Barbary Fig flow extract, Shea Butter and Seaweed promoting lasting hydration for skin. Gatineau Hydra Aura Water Cream £49 available at Gatineau.com
Step 5
Under Eyes: Apply minimal amounts of your favourite eye cream to soften wrinkles and dark circles for a renewed firmer, smoother radiant eye area. For an extra treat try the latest Peace Out Puffy Eyes (£23) available from www.cultbeauty.co.uk.
These soothing under-eye patches will awaken tired eyes, de-puff and soothe in just 15 minutes.
For an instant boost try the Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick (£25) www.cultbeauty.co.uk.
A concentrated serum balm which addresses tired, aging skin by minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a firmer and smoother-looking glow.
BEAUTY SPOT: Nail it
Begin your nail health journey for restorative and maintenance needs with prescriptive nailcare Protein Formula For Nails 1-4 £14.95 available from www.protein-nails.com
Add a pop of colour with the fabulous Emolyne Nail Lacquers, discover your perfect colour with an impressive 15 shades to choose from. £13 available from www.emolyne.com
