Get glowing!
How to put a sparkle into the skin before that special occasion
If you need to look good for a special occasion or you’ve had a late night and need to revive your face before going out again, give yourself a mini facial using specially formulated products to put the oomph back into dull or tired skin. It will only take a few minutes and is a good idea before applying your make up.
1. Cleanse and tone your face and neck thoroughly or use facial wash if you prefer.
2. Apply a scrub and gently massage away dead cells while at the same time stimulating circulation to bring healthy colour to the face. A great product to try is Yves Saint Laurent Gommage Biologique, (Beauty Line or Erm?s), a luxuriously silky gel that removes dulling cells without abrasive particles and perfect for regular use before make up or as a peel for sensitive skins.
3. Remove scrub and apply a ‘pep up’ type mask like Apivita Revitalising Face Mask with Orange and vitamin C, (from pharmacies) or Guinot Mask Essential (from therapists). Est?e Lauder Stress Relief Face Mask and Eye Masks (department stores) are good if you want to relax and soothe after a heavy week to condition skin.
4. After 15 minutes remove mask, use toner to remove residue or traces of grease then rinse with lots or tepid water to wake up face and eyes. Dry face and apply a serum with skin reviving properties. Try one of the many specialist serums from Guinot (99548338 or from your therapist) or Guerlain Divinora Gold which contains gold leaf and gives radiance to the skin. Tap serums into the skin until completely absorbed then apply your moisturiser all over face and neck. You’re now ready to apply your party face.
Get your body buzzing
To retrieve lost energy after a late night or before a night out, try scrubbing the whole body with a friction mitt and a stimulating, organic shower gel which contains essential oils to wake up the senses. Sanoflore, (stockists: 22 879006) shower and bath gel is excellent. Another great product to try is Clinique Instant Energy Body wash. If you favour a body scrubbing product rather than bath glove type thingy, try the amazingly refreshing Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator by Clinique. Follow your shower and scrubbing session with a rich body lotion which contains skin nourishing natural oils and waxes rather than too much petroleum base. Three excellent ones are Cool Lustre Body Moisture or Body Butter by Clinique. For total decadence try Lauder or Guerlain. If you want a more budget aware product, L’Oreal and Nivea are perfect. Apply body lotion all over the body, right up to base of the throat to pep up circulation and ensure body looks silky enough to show off in your gorgeous evening outfit.
Best Buys For Xmas Make up
FOUNDATION Yves Saint Laurent Teint Eclat de Soie. Gives a lovely natural dewy look.
CONCEALER Yves Saint Laurent Stick concealer on face and Touche Eclat under eyes. Est?e Lauder’s new PEN type concealers are also good.
POWDER Loose powder Transparency 03 or 08 by Clinique or Chanel’s loose powders are great with natural looking colours.
If you like compact powder with or without coverage the best I’ve come across are MAC, Est?e Lauder and Clinique.
EYESHADOWS Use golds, bronzy hues, shimmer browns, dark shimmer blues and aubergines, dark metallic green. Check out all the gorgeous new colours at the stores.
EYE PENCILS OR LIQUID LINERS Most budget brands are fine to use for pencils. If buying cheaper liquid liner, stick to well known brands such as Bourgois, L’Oreal etc.
MASCARA Lancome Hypnose and YSL Effet Faux Cils are excellent.
LIPS Loads of gorgeous colours and diamond effect glosses in the stores. Choose a colour and texture to complement your style or outfit, natural colouring and eye make up. Dior, YSL and Est?e Lauder have the yummiest textures.
CHEEKS Use the faintest flush of colour on the cheeks to give a glow rather than an obvious colour effect. Use a cream rouge and a tiny amount of shimmer cream mixed together for a gook effect. Guerlain and Christian Dior have great cream rouges.
