Beauty: From make-up-free days to primer, face the future

Take steps now to combat the perils of winter skin and slow down the ageing process. Stephanie Smith seeks out expert advice. Plus face of the week and new beauty picks.
Emma Willis goes for an updated classic glam look for the Brit Awards 2018 nominations event last weekend, with eyes top lined and lips drawn precisely in berry red. try Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Berry Naughty, £16. Picture: Ian West/PA Wire.Emma Willis goes for an updated classic glam look for the Brit Awards 2018 nominations event last weekend, with eyes top lined and lips drawn precisely in berry red. try Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Berry Naughty, £16. Picture: Ian West/PA Wire.
Emma Willis goes for an updated classic glam look for the Brit Awards 2018 nominations event last weekend, with eyes top lined and lips drawn precisely in berry red. try Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Berry Naughty, £16. Picture: Ian West/PA Wire.

Winter, as many of us by now understand, is not the skin’s best friend.

Bitter chills and ill winds, combined with cranked-up central heating (and heat blasting in the car), can suck all the moisture out, leaving it dry, rough and flaky.

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Lisa de-la-Plain, professional beauty therapist and co-founder of online beauty retailer Beauty Flash, has come up with a winter beauty survival guide to help deal with skin matters before they get out of hand.

Amazing Cosmetics Face Primer, £19.40 BeautyFlash.co.uk.Amazing Cosmetics Face Primer, £19.40 BeautyFlash.co.uk.
Amazing Cosmetics Face Primer, £19.40 BeautyFlash.co.uk.

Allow yourself at least one day each week of wearing no make-up, she says, adding: “This will help declog pores, reduce breakouts and even skin tone. It’s important to consider the ingredients in your products, too. “Consensus is forming it’s best to avoid make-up containing formaldehyde-related preservatives and benzene.”

Always drink your recommended six to eight glasses of water a day. Lisa says: “This will combat dry skin, flush out toxins and give you a healthier and more youthful glow.”

Sleep is vital. “Your body boosts blood flow to the skin during sleep, which means you wake to a healthy glow,” says Lisa. “Skimp on sleep and your complexion can look drab, ashen, or lifeless. The key is to get enough shut-eye – seven to nine quality hours each night. If you want to give your skin an extra boost, use Dermalogica’s Age Smart Overnight Retinol Repair night cream (£64 at BeautyFlash.co.uk). It accelerates skin renewal and reduces the appearance of ageing overnight.”

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Counteract dryness by applying a primer before your make-up base. “Whether you wear a full face every day or you prefer to keep it simple, we promise it’s a godsend for creating a smooth base and can even have anti-ageing properties,” Lisa says.

Barry M Under the Sea Nail Paint
: Coming soon from statement make-up specialists Barry M is a new holographic range combining nails, lips and eyeshadow products, each created to glisten from every angle. There are four new nail shades, including this one, called Angelfish, which has a magical, two-toned, colour-shifting formula. It costs £3.99, on counter soon.Barry M Under the Sea Nail Paint
: Coming soon from statement make-up specialists Barry M is a new holographic range combining nails, lips and eyeshadow products, each created to glisten from every angle. There are four new nail shades, including this one, called Angelfish, which has a magical, two-toned, colour-shifting formula. It costs £3.99, on counter soon.
Barry M Under the Sea Nail Paint : Coming soon from statement make-up specialists Barry M is a new holographic range combining nails, lips and eyeshadow products, each created to glisten from every angle. There are four new nail shades, including this one, called Angelfish, which has a magical, two-toned, colour-shifting formula. It costs £3.99, on counter soon.

She recommends Amazing Cosmetics Anti-Ageing Face Primer (£19.40 at BeautyFlash.co.uk) for blurring fine lines, hydrating and brightening.

Finally, try swapping to a silk pillowcase to reduce friction on your hair and your skin.

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