We don’t know about you, but we’re not a pretty sight right now. We set out at the beginning of the Corona crisis with the best of intentions beauty-wise, but have since let it all slip. What happens, when you need to look half decent for an important Zoom call (or God forbid a real life meeting or a date) when you have spent the last few months channeling your inner scarecrow? We asked Hannah Martin, Professional Make Up artist, and co-host of the Life & Lipstick podcast , for her mega-boosting skin and makeup tricks.
Skincare
SOS skincare
You may have been stuck inside with nothing but a computer for company over the last three months, and if so your skin will look brighter and more rejuvenated if it is well hydrated – often fine lines can be reduced and glow enhanced just by upping skin’s moisture levels. Hannah is a fan of Drunk Elephant B Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum which she also uses on flights when hydration levels are really low. “For an extra boost or if skin is really dry I apply a light layer of face cream on top,” she says “My favourites are Shiseido’s Benefiance Nutri Perfect range and Beauty Pie’s Super Healthy Skin.” If her skin needs some intense nourishing she uses Votary oils who use natural plant-based oils to nourish the skin gently.” She tells us she always has Clarins Lip Perfector lip balms, with her at all times to keep her lips soft and supple and add a hint of colour (without looking overdone.)
For a Zoom-ready glow…
If you have a special meeting, a date or you just fancy giving your skin a treat, try a super hydrating sheet mask – preferably one that is packed with Hyaluronic acid – a key ingredient which can hold up 1000 times its weight in water. Hannah suggests applying to clean skin and allowing all the goodness to be absorbed for a good 10 minutes (great to wear while you sip your coffee), before you apply your makeup. “This will instantly plump up any of those surface dehydration lines and ensure makeup sits smoothly” Hannah says. One of her favourites is the Seoulista Gold Glow Instant Facial.
Good to Glow
If your skin hasn’t see the light of day since the beginning of lockdown, Hannah suggests packing a Vitamin C serum for brightening skin – she is a fan of Drunk Elephant C Firma Day Serum, that she applies to cleansed skin every morning. If she’s particularly tired or jet-lagged from travelling (pre Corona) she also uses a Hyaluronic acid to plump up tired looking skin and does a little face massage to encourage lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness. You don’t have to be an expert she says “Simply tapping your face in upwards motions using the tips of your fingers really gets the blood circulating, helping you look fresh.”
Bright Eyed
If you spend a lot of your day at your computer, or your eyes are red and sore then rehydrate them with eye drops. Hannah suggests Optrex Eye Drops, which not only refresh your eyes, but they can illuminate and reduce that scratchy feeling. If your eyes feel a little puffy then the Chantecaille Gold Energising Eye Recovery Masks can be great to apply to rehydrate the skin around the eyes. “They may not drastically reduce the appearance of bags but they feel wonderfully refreshing,” she says.
Makeup
Back to Base
If your skin is on the dry side Hannah says she avoids a silicone based foundation as it tends to absorb moisture and make her skin look even more parched. Some of her favourite hydrating skin saviours are Trinny’s BFF Skin Perfector, or Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturiser.
If your skin needs more coverage however, Hannah likes IT Cosmetics Illuminating CC cream, which, she says, will make your skin look bright and fresh whilst evening your squinting. She is also a big fan of Ciate London’s Matchmaker blush, which she uses on all skin tones to bring life and glow back to sallow cheeks.
Eye lift
Eyes can be a real fatigue giveaway. To put the sparkle back into yours, Hannah firstly suggests grooming your brows upwards with the Blink Brow Bar Brow build, which will frame your eyes and immediately create a more polished look. She then suggests lining the eyes (whether smudged, winged, subtle or strong) which is essential for making eyes look more awake. She loves Nars Long Wear Liner, and adds a few coats of Hourglass Caution Mascara onto curled lashes (she swears by Tweezerman lash curlers). She finishes with her favorite Clarins Lip Perfector (no 7 is her favourite, a toffee pink.).
On-the-go toolkit
You don’t have to buy lots of tools to create flawless skin, but Hannah suggests the following for an on-the-go perfected look: a foundation brush or sponge so you don’t make a mess or get lots of makeup on your hands; a powder brush that you can use for powder, blush and bronzer, and a simple shadow brush for eyes.
Finishing touches
Hannah says that hydrated lips can make a tired face look fresh, whilst dry, cracked lips can make your face seem less youthful. She always uses lip balm so her lips are ready for any lipstick. Finally, she has a tip for when we go out into the world again , “If at any point your makeup looks tired, carry a tiny bottle of facial oil and dab the smallest amount on cheekbones to bring your skin back to life.” We love Lixirskin’s Night Switch Essential Lipids, which can be used as a treatment or as a travel-friendly boost for parched skin.
Hannah is a professional makeup artist and the co-host of the Life & Lipstick podcast @hannahmartinmakeup.
