Words by Ateh Jewel
3 Minute Read
Share this article…
Whether you are thinking about wedding and party season or looking forward to a sunny Easter getaway…
…if you feel your skin could do with a head-to-toe boost here is some easy advice.
Summer is coming, you really have to believe me. And with it the chance to say goodbye to winter skin – which really is a thing. Months spent indoors can mean our skin gets dehydrated and sensitive and instead of looking dewy and fresh it can be left looking dull and tired.
Your face…
Skin-prep and exfoliation is the foundation to great looking foundation. It helps your makeup glow and ensures it sits well on your skin. It is just as important if you prefer going make-up free and want a dewy fresh complexion.
Don’t try any new skin regimes just before a big wedding or party, as you don’t know how your face will react to new products. Give yourself a a 4-6 week window to get used to them.
Otherwise a simple face mask, exfoliation and fake tan can make you feel transformed in just 24 hours.
Elizabeth Arden, Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, £29, is an iconic, multi award-winning balm that can be used top to toe to help treat dry lips, cuticles, dry patches and to shape brows and soothe dry hands.
Garnier, Charcoal and Algae Purifying and Hydrating Face Sheet Mask, £3.49, is both compostable and great for oilier skin tones and congested skin. The sheet mask is infused with a cocktail of beneficial ingredients, including Charcoal, Algae and Hyaluronic Acid to help leave your skin feeling balanced.
Three of the best body exfoliators:
Exfoliation is a must-do, followed by generous moisturising, before any fake tanning as dry skin is much more likely to go streaky.
But, whether or not you are applying fake tan, exfoliation will make everyone’s skin look and feel better. Just don’t over-do it or you could get a reaction.
I adore Paula’s Choice, Calm 1% Bha Sensitive Skin Exfoliant, £34. Packed with skin hydrating and soothing ingredients, this gentle exfoliant helps to remove blackheads and clogged pores. It’s also great to use on your back for any blemishes.
Superdrug, Extracts Shea Butter Body Scrub, £5.99, is a super, moisturising body scrub at a great price point. It’s brimming with skin softening and loving Shea Butter, for baby soft skin.
Clinique, Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator, £27.50 is brilliant for cleansing and exfoliation and solves 99.9% of most skin issues, in my opinion! I particularly love this exfoliator, as my sensitive skin doesn’t love scratchy formulas. If you hanker after super soft skin, try gentle exfoliation a couple of times a week. Use circular motions and try and buff the body towards the heart for extra lymph drainage.
Best feet forward…
There is that moment of truth when your feet, which have been kept wrapped up over winter are ready to be revealed. You are a lucky woman if they don’t look better after exfoliation, deep hydration and a pop of colour on your nails.
The good news is you can take your body scrub all the way down to your heels, but most cracked and dry feet need some extra TLC with a super-moisture rich cream.
Try Boots, CARE Moisturising Foot Cream Coconut & Shea, £3.99. It’s full of hydrating coconut and Shea Butter.
For a great value, and a dopamine hit, paint your toes happy with this Barry M, Hi Vis Neon Nail Paint in Pink Venom, £3.99! I love it!
Two of the best body moisturisers
It is important to regularly moisturise rather than having the poshest cream that you only dare to use sparingly.
A little on the pricey side, but this Fenty, Beauty Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint, £40, had me at body sauce! I love how deliciously glossy and radiant this makes the skin look. Add along your shins, tops of shoulders and décolleté to shimmer and shine as you dance the night away.
I love slathering my skin in this Tisserand, Total De-Stress Massage & Body Oil, £13, which absorbs really easily and doesn’t feel greasy. It always helps to lift my mood as the oil is laced with warming Nutmeg, Sweet Orange and mood boosting Geranium. For a DIY body bling, mix with your favourite gold or rose gold loose pigment powder.
Foolproof fake tan…
Fake tan works on all skin tones, giving a bronzed look for lighter skin tones, to a ‘lit from within’ look on deeper skin tones.
This buildable Revolution Beauty, Hydrating Face Tan Serum for 30ml, £2.50, is bursting with hydrating Hyaluronic Acid to help your skin look plump and bronzed without any tanning disasters as the tan is very gradual and controllable.
No7, Perfectly Bronzed Self Tan Mousse, £14.95, is super easy to use with no traditional fake tan smell. It dries in 10 mins, giving a natural streak-free finish and an instant hit of colour.
Glow from the inside – out
The lack of sunshine in the UK, especially over winter, means you could have a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D helps you glow from the inside out helping skin conditions and dryness. I love these Wild Nutrition, Vitamin D Gummies, £20, as they contain only naturally derived sweeteners, naturally sourced ingredients and no added binders, fillers, gelatine or GMOs.
Protect yourself… Even on the greyest of days wearing a daily SPF is important but as days get longer and brighter don’t forget to stay safe in the sun, when it finally appears.
Share this article…
Ateh Jewel
Beauty Columnist, Award-winning Journalist and Diversity Advocate
@atehjewel
