Top tips for wedding ready skin!
Troubadour Goods - Photographer Mark Sanders
hOW TO GET GREAT SKIN LEADING UP TO YOUR WEDDING!
As a makeup artist the first thing I am usually asked when I meet my clients is do I know any tips to help keep their skin in tip top shape leading up to the big day!
I have a full bag of tricks that are tried and tested and many are science based.
First things first - lets start with the most important - SPF! Investing in a daily SPF regardless of which season it is, is so important and something I wished I’d known when I was younger! This is the first way to not only protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays, reduce the chances of skin cancer, but it slows the rate your skin ages.
SPF’s I recommend - (Discount Code - LFTFASHLEYKAY )
Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect
Once you have nailed down your SPF we can talk about your cleansing routine. The most important cleanse you do is the evening one. Regardless of whether you regularly wear makeup or not, your skin is continuously subjected to pollutions and dirt from the environment and from touching our faces. The evening cleanse needn’t be strenuous or vigorous. These are my three gentle cleansing products I recommend for clearing the skin of makeup and environmental elements!
THE EVENING CLEANSING
Acne Prone, Sensitive, Normal to Dry Cleansers ( Discount LFTFASHLEYKAY )
CeraVe Blemish Control Face Cleanser - Contains great ingredients Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide to combat spots and reduce inflammation.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Naked Cleansing Balm - This is a fragrance and mineral oil- free, cleansing balm which is great for sensitive to normal and dry skin. It leaves the skin feeling smooth, hydrated and clean. Simply use a small amount, gently rub onto the skin to melt it and then use a warm, wet flannel to wipe away the dirt!
Avène XeraCalm Lipid Replenishing Cleansing Oil - This is a gentle cleansing oil which is great for those with very dry skin. It won’t strip your skin but will gently cleanse it.
THE MORNING CLEANSE
When you wake up, your skin will have had a chance for all the skincare products to soak in overnight. I find that unless your skin is very oily, a simple clean, warm, wet flannel gently rubbed over the face will clear the skin of night-time debris and prep it for your morning routine.
POST CLEANSING ROUTINE
After cleansing your skin, depending on what your needs are, I always recommend a Vitamin C serum. Vitamin C is part of the building blocks of collagen production and is also a brilliant antioxidant. Antioxidants help the skin repair itself and reduces inflammation as well as brightening the skin. If a Vit C serum is worn, it is very important to wear an SPF or else it will be counterproductive as it increases your chances of burning.
Excellent Vit C serums to try! Remember - I get Discounts on many of these products with ( LFTFASHLEYKAY ) on LookFantastic.com
NuFACE Super Vita-C Booster Serum - Contains electrically charged minerals, glacial water and vitamin C with the added bonus of niacinamide to aid imperfections.
The Ordinary - Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution - This is a water soluble derivative of Vitamin C .
If you are prone to spots and redness, this is a brilliant product to try!
From Boots - The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% -It can be used mornings and evenings and is fine to use with retinols. Minimises enlarged pores, combats blemishes and redness, as well as regulating sebum production.
From Boots- Discounted with your Advantage Card
REN Clean Skincare Glow AHA Tonic (An absolute favourite of mine!) - This product is a must. I use it in the morning but can be used at night. If used in the morning be sure to wear an SPF . This is a brilliant, gentle, skin resurfacing tonic, that exfoliates, brightens , tightens and hydrates skin while smoothing it! It can literally be used daily and helps with fine lines and wrinkles.
EVENING SKINCARE
Your skin spends time repairing at night, so it is a great time to work on its renewal process. I like to use 2 in 1 products that renew and hydrate at the same time, usually with a retinol in it if possible. Its important your hydrate your skin at night as you naturally start to dehydrate during your sleep and so does your skin! So drink your water and make sure you moisturise before bed for plump skin in the morning! Important to remember that if you are using a retinol you must wear an SPF during the day. Retinol naturally renews the skin and therefore your skin will be more susceptible to burning.
These are my recommendations for evening moisturisers! From Lookfantastic Discount LFTFASHLEYKAY
bareMinerals Ageless Retinol Night Cream - A natural Phyto-Retinol, it fights wrinkles, softens fine lines, contains proteins peptides and hyaluronic acid for hydration.
Murad Retinol Renewal (Value Set and added discount with LFTFASHLEYKAY ) -
This is a 2 part bundle which is brilliant as you get the Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum which is a lightweight, cooling serum . It helps plump and brighten the eye area and also works to firm the skin. It has extra nutrients which help combat dark circles and signs of fatigue!
The night cream, is packed with Niacinamide to help with inflammation, sebum and redness while piclonamide strengthens the skin’s protective barrier.
Lastly but not least, do make sure you eat well, drink lots and lots of water and get your sleep! All of the products I have listed won’t help you if you aren’t looking after yourself from within!
If you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact me here and I will be happy to help!
Goodluck on your great skin journey!
Much Love!
Ash
*Side note- if you suffer from rosacea, eczema, severe acne, it would be beneficial to visit you dermatologist first as there may be more intensive treatments required to help you.