Skincare Secrets

At the moment I’m doing my part in living up to the bio box (re: see all social media platforms): writing by day, dancing by night. It’s all very glamorous* until I’m craving ten minutes of viparita karani and am in need of a hot shower, desperately. Thank god for Dove ClearTone, right?

When I’m not in some variation of leggings/tank/sports bra/Bloch shoes, however, I’m in something vaguely more put together. If anything, my work ensembles are highly reminiscent of what I wear to sweat in. Black pants (the usual high-waist or skinny trouser), pretty bra, blouse/little sweater. And if I’m feeling particularly anti-pants—so. much. effort.—then a pencil dress it is. Lazy is as lazy does, she says shrugging, and so I’ve taken it upon myself to save you from the boredom that is my wardrobe.** There’s a reason why my “outfit posts“—f they can even be called that—are few and far between.

What I will bore you with (bare with me), though, is my visage. I’ve recently taken to pulling my hair back into a high bun or sleekish pony, both of which were once rarities for me. Maybe I’ve finally come accept my face as it is sans the distraction of long hair; maybe I’ve grown partial to that clean, no-fuss look that works well on clean hair, and even better on day-old locks. A few spritzes of Tresemme’s Fresh Start Dry Shampoo does the trick in adding texture and (much-needed) volume. Spritz, shake, tease—repeat. I then pin the front layers into a poof before pulling the rest of my hair into a high pony, et voila! If I can do it, you can do it better. That Tresumme stuff is lovely, anything else more expensive is just an added luxury; I keep a travel-sized version in my handbag for those day-to-studio-to-night days.

But enough about hair—onto my skin! I’ve been getting quite a few questions about it in both in real life (ha) and in emails.*** Instagram does make everything look airbrushed and fabulous, but the testiment lies in everyday encounters when strangers take it upon themselves to touch my face and comment on how “perfect and glowy and beautiful” it is (true story). I’m convinced that it’s a summer-induced—a.k.a., sweaty glow—shine, but here goes:

• Cleanse with Alpha Hydroxy Acids. I have combo/oily skin, but I believe that being gentle with your skin is paramount. I use good ol’ Cetaphil as my daily facial cleanser, supplementing it with the Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser 2-3x a week in the summer (and just once a week in the winter). Trust me when I say it’s a total game changer that perfects skin tone and texture whilst maintaining a clear complexion.

• Invest in a serum. A Vitamin C Serum, specifically. You know it works when you go months without it—but once you do, you wake up all glowy and radiant and dewy. I genuinely get excited about this product, and I tell everyone and their mother about it. Unfortunately I’ve gone through my second bottle and need a replacement, stat. Holy grail status—need I say more?

• Moisturize with SPF. My armour of choice is Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 (it’s broad spectrum, which is crucial). Hydrated skin is healthy, happy skin.

• If you don’t need it, skip it! I’m anti-foundation, concealer, etc. (tinted moisturizers and BB/CC creams included) even when I have a few spots. Here’s my philosophy: skin is skin. Everyone breaks out once in a while! Contrary to popular belief, skin doesn’t actually breathe, but it’s liberating not having to (a) wake up early (b) spend money on various foundations (c) spend even more bones on brushes (d) worry about caking, flaking, melting makeup. Unless you’re going to be on stage or are expecting to be photographed, skin is beautiful as is especially up into your 30s.

• Eyes are everything. That’s a lie, I’m a sucker for smiles. Eye cream is what’s everything, specifically Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream. It’s one in few products that has the right to boast that it actually does what it purports to do. (That said, I don’t have bad dark circles, just the occasional shadow during exams week.) It’s a lovely pearlized, light pink cream that applies beautifully under the eyes for a subtle—but noticeable—brightening effect.

• Highlight. Shh now, I’m about to reveal one of my beauty secrets! I don’t use highlighers because I have a serious fear of looking too made up. Instead, I dab a bit of the Origins eye cream along my cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose—and it looks gorgeous. Trust. I also love a hint of shimmer in the inner corners of the eyes, and for that I use Bobbi Brown’s Navajo 15 or Urban Decay’s X depending on how tanned (or not) I am.

That’s it! It’s simple and low-maintenance—which is right up my alley. I’m a firm believer in embracing natural beauty. A few swipes of mascara is all a girl really needs: the rest is in the skin (and loving the one you’re in).

.   .   .

xx

Editor’s Notes:

*Glamour is $6 wine, in a plastic glass, from Target. 

**I love my clothes though! 

*** These astericks are out of control, but I’m a footnotes kinda girl, ya dig? Anyway, in the interest of full disclosure, I wouldn’t describe my skin as perfect. Especially not now. Ironic, isn’t it, that I’m writing a mini skincare post with a spot on my face.