Try this smoothie to start the day – the favourite of Ella Woodward: frozen banana with spinach, oats, almond butter, almond milk and blueberries. ‘It’s the easiest breakfast ever.’
Don't book a facial for just before any important event (interview, first date, wedding). But if your face does look red and patchy, the quickest fix is a washcloth dipped in ice water with a splash of cooling witch hazel, held against the skin.
The texture of a concealer can tell you a lot about its coverage. The wetter the concealer, the sheerer it will be. The drier, the more dense the coverage. (Those tend to come in pots.)
Most of us have experienced a too-short fringe at some point. If yours shrieks 'geek' (or even Richard III!), slick it to one side with pomade while it grows out.
If you struggle to fall asleep at night, avoid naps entirely. That way you'll build up lots of healthy sleepiness during the day to ensure a full night's kip when your head does hit the pillow.
If you've ever wondered why it's so hard to find the perfect mascara, you may be interested to know that according to experts, there are SEVEN different 'lashtypes'. That's why mascara's such an individual thing. What we've found, though, is that the new rubber wands work well whenever you need extra 'grip'. Maybe try one of those, next?
Confused about the order in which to apply products? Oils go on last of all, to ‘lock in’ hydrating ingredients, notably hyaluronic acid. Always apply your serum or moisturiser before a facial oil.
A quick guide to determining which kind of foundation you need. Take a piece of sticky tape, apply it to your cheek, pressing it on, then leave for 30 seconds. If there are small flakes of skin stuck to it when you remove it, your complexion is dry and in need of a moisturising foundation. If you think you have oily skin, wash your face and leave it for two hours; press a piece of tissue against the side of your nose and leave it for five seconds. If it becomes transparent, you’re oily and should look for an oil-free or fresh-matte foundation. For combination skin, go for a light and dewy formulation. (If you’re confused, well… that’s what beauty counter consultants are for.)
‘Tis the season of the lip, once more. But they don’t have to be Marilyn Monroe flawless. A great way to take it down a notch is to buff out the edges with your fingers or a tissue for a diffused finish. (Velvety lipsticks actually look better when they’re not perfect.)
Start each day with a stretch. Become aware of every part of your body – from toe to toe, fingertip to fingertip. We like to imagine a surge of energy running up along the spine, starting at the lowest end and running up the neck and through the head as you stretch your hands up to the ceiling. End the stretch with a moment of calm, focusing on feeling strong and energised before you start the day.
Not working out doesn’t just affect the waistline – it can also show up in our faces. When our cardiovascular system is functioning optimally, we have proper circulation, which ensures optimum flow of blood and nutrients to the skin. (Working out in the lead-up to an important event is one of the beauty secrets of those who walk the red carpet…)
Don’t waste too much time watching YouTube tutorials and becoming befuddled by words such as ‘luminous’, high definition’ and ‘flawless’. Get out your kit, get out your mirror and just have a dabble.
Beware of using light-reflective concealers on eye bags. (Though they’re great on shadows.) They will draw attention to the puffiness, making it more rather than less obvious.
Brrrrr. It’s about to get chillier out there. If you use a hot water bottle, though, you might like to know that it’s more effective at heating your body if you hold it near your stomach – the ‘triple heater’ – than if you put it under your feet. (We discovered this a few years ago and were amazed.)
To unwind just before sleep-time, press the spot on your inner wrist crease in line with your ring finger and smallest finger. It’s an acupressure point that can help you sleep.
Choosing a new hairbrush? The reason hairstylists like boar brushes is that they deliver more shine than synthetic bristles.
If you use an oil-based cleanser or a balm cleanser, you’re the best candidate for double-cleansing. Oil can leave a film on the skin if not perfectly removed; a light, gentle foaming cleanser does that efficiently. Or use rosewater or an alcohol-free toner.
If you’re sleep-anxious, remove all clock faces from view. Staring at a clock at night has been scientifically shown to make sleep progressively worse.
Slicked on a gloss and don’t like the feel? To remove an extra-stick gloss, swipe lips with a damp washcloth dipped in olive oil. (Also brilliant for eradicating dark lipstick, BTW.)
If you’ve bought a mascara and your eye make-up remover isn’t even beginning to take it off, try removing it with a warm, wet washcloth. It may be what’s known as a ‘tubular’ mascara: a technology which originated in Japan, but which forms polymer tubes around each lash. They certainly stay put for longer, but these tubular mascaras only dissolve with warm water.