When it comes to make-up, I am a firm believer in the motto that ‘less is more’. Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t really go anywhere without make-up on (even if just some mascara at the gym) as I am owner of a pair of barely visible eyebrows (and eyelashes) as well as a complexion nearing to that of Casper the friendly ghost. I believe putting a bit of make-up on in the morning makes me feel like I’m ready for the day ahead in the same way as washing and dressing does. However, what saves time and effort in the long run (who doesn’t want an extra 15 minutes in bed?) is to be take a bit of a pre emptive strike in your beauty routine so that you feel confident wearing fewer products, or should you choose to go make-up free, you end up looking a bit more ‘polished’ when you first get up in the morning. All beauty products look better on a face which has been well looked after, in the same way that clothes sit better over well fitted underwear. A bonus of having a beauty routine which does not solely focus on make-up is that it’s low maintenance (better for your skin/body as well as your bank account).
1. Find your skin type
Knowing your skin type can make buying and wearing make-up a whole lot easier! Some foundations work better on oily skin and others work better on dry, the same goes for concealers, blushers, moisturisers and cleansing products. The main skin type groups are: oily (enlarged pores, black heads, make-up slides off easily), combination (dry areas on the cheeks and an oiler t-zone) and dry (feels ‘tight’ and may be flaky). If you are struggling to identify yourself in one of these groups it is worth taking a trip to a shop such as Boots and asking for advice at one of the make-up counters. Once you know what your skin type is you can tailor your beauty regime to fit it. I have dry skin so keep my cleansing routine simple to prevent it getting any dryer: Lush ‘9 to 5 Cleanser’ and a good helping of an intensive moisturiser like ‘Nivea Crème’ before bed. If your using the wrong products for your skin type you can sometimes make already existing skin issues (eczema, acne etc.) worse so it’s something really worthwhile looking into.
2. Clean make-up brushes
Using the same make-up brush over and over again without cleaning it layers up old makeup, sweat, dead skin and other nasty bacteria on your face. This makes your skin dirty and in turn creates spots and blemishes .If you use dirty make-up brushes you may as well not bother washing your face every day as you are putting back on all the dirt you last took off. Also, it hinders the accuracy and life span in your brushes, which then ends up hurting your bank balance when you need to replace your blush brush for the hundredth time. Once a week gather your make-up brushes (even the strangely shaped one you seldom use) and give them a good cleanse. One of the best things to do this with is with a tea tree oil based product as it is a known fighter of bacteria and spots. A cheaper alternative is ‘Johnsons Baby Shampoo’, which is super gentle and will stop the bristles in your brush from shedding. Squirt a dollop of shampoo into the palm of your hand and swirl a damp make-up brush into it, rinsing under warm (not hot!) water until the water runs clear. Just leave your brushes on a dry towel or flannel by your radiator over night and awake to them beautifully clean and ready to use.
3. Clarify hair
Over time shampoo, hair spray and other products build up on your hair and weigh it down. Whilst you can’t necessarily feel the build up on your hair/scalp it can make your hair become greasier faster and also make it more difficult to style. A good routine to get into is to clarify your hair once every other week to get it squeaky clean. Pantene sell shampoo specifically for clarifying hair, but if you want a cheaper alternative, washing up liquid does the job just as well. However, as it strips everything out of your hair it can be quite drying, so it’s best not to do it too often and also to follow it up the next time you wash your hair by applying a deep conditioning hair mask.
4. Water
An average adult should aim to drink at least 2.5 litres a day, more if exercising. If you have been drinking alcohol you should aim to match every alcoholic drink with the same amount of water (a hangover is mainly dehydration). Keeping hydrated is not only good for keeping skin clear, it stops it becoming as dry and makes your hair shiny. Alongside water homemade juices and smoothies help to give a good vitamin boost as well as keep you hydrated. Avoid large quantities of shop bought ones though – they contain very high amounts of sugar (not great for skin!). My favourite flavour is a ‘green monster’ which blends a banana, a couple of ice cubes, a teaspoon of linseeds, cup of soy milk and a handful of spinach. It looks interesting to say the least but tastes like a lovely banana milk shake and is jam packed with iron and B vitamins.
5. Eyebrows
Eyebrow shaping and tinting can make a big impact on appearance. Salons offer tinting and shaping (either threading or waxing) for around £10 but I like to tint mine with ‘Eyelure Dylash’ and shape them myself. This saves money in the long run and after a couple of goes is really easy to do yourself. The basic rules of shaping can be seen on YouTube and mainly involves where your brow should begin, end and the shape of your arch. Remember always tint before shaping as it can pick up the lighter hairs you would not otherwise be able to see. Brows can later be touched up with a powder and an angled eye shadow brush to really enhance them. A rule of thumb is for brunettes to go a shade lighter and for blondes to go a shade darker. If you have fine eyebrows and want to thicken them, a trick is rubbing slightly warm olive oil onto them each night with a cotton bud. After a couple of weeks you should have thicker eyebrows!
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