Morning routine
The first step in my morning routine is to wash my face, using the L’Oreal charcoal cleanser and my Clarisonic Mia 2.
This always brightens up my skin and and gives me a fresh base before I apply my skincare. Lately I’ve been loving the Elizabeth Arden Skin Renewal Booster, with Lancome Energie De Vie eye cream underneath my eyes.
This gives me a very hydrated base for either wearing alone or underneath make-up.
In terms of hair, my GHD, tangle teezer and my Bumble and Bumble invisible oil primer are my three everyday products.
Out and about
I carry my MAC Studio Fix powder, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer and Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream in my bag at all times.
The two complexion products are amazing at refreshing your make-up after a few hours of wear, plus they are both very light and fit into even my smallest handbag.
The Eight Hour Cream is my saviour for hydrating the lips and also adding a sheen on top of lipstick or the cheeks.
I think there are only two products necessary for glamming up a daytime look into one for the night.
I will always add a pair of false lashes, usually the Ardell Wispies and a bold, dark red lip. This is a five minute job (I’ve obviously had some practice with the lashes!) and will always step up your look.
Nights out
The key for nights out and fancy events is making sure your make-up is both long-wearing and camera-friendly. I use pro longwear products such as primer, setting powder and setting spray, and try to avoid “HD” and chemical SPF products.
My go-to glam includes:
• Becca Backlight Priming Filter
• YSL All Hours Foundation (so expensive – but SO good!)
• Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
• MAC Studio Fix Powder
• Benefit Hoola Bronzer
• Benefit Galifornia Blush
• Becca Champagne Pop Highlighter
• Benefit Ka Brow Eyebrow Gel
• Ciate London x Chloe Morello Eyeshadow Palette
• Ardell Wispies Lashes
• MAC Blankety or MAC Diva
For hair, I introduce products to help with sustaining the style and also battling the humidity.
My go-to hair products are:
• GHD Straightener
• Tangle Teezer
• Bumble and Bumble Invisible Primer Oil
• L’Oreal Safflower Softening Ointment
• Goldwell Kerasilk Humidity Spray
• Sunsilk Hold Me Forever Hairspray
If I could only wear one product on my face it would have to be mascara! My long-time favourite is the Maybelline Lash Sensational. I am lucky to have clear skin, but have also always believed that mascara does a beautiful job at brightening the eyes.
Evening routine
My evening beauty routine begins with me removing my make-up. I recently received the YSL Top Secrets make-up remover balm and it does an amazing job at gently melting off my make-up, but otherwise I will just skip straight to my L’Oreal charcoal cleanser and Clarisonic.
I then use the Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Capsules all over my face, and the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Matrix underneath my eyes. These products sink into my skin overnight and always leave me waking up glowy and fresh.
The biggest change in my beauty routine has been the incorporation of skincare. I definitely used to spend a lot more money on make-up, however I realised that skincare helps you feel more confident without it.
Skincare doesn’t just mean buying products either. It begins with drinking lots of water, eating well, getting enough sleep and simply washing your face everyday. Once you’ve got those basics down, then you can invest in a skincare regime that suits you.
Beauty favourites
My favourite beauty pamper product is definitely my L’Oreal Charcoal Clay mask. It’s super affordable and leaves your skin feeling amazing! Paired with a bath and a Lush bath bomb, it leaves me feeling both relaxed and rejuvenated.
My favourite beauty pamper service is undoubtedly eyelash extensions. I often get my lashes done for special occasions at Ashley Allen Eyelash Extensions, the girls there are AMAZING!
I do a lot of my beauty maintenance by myself, such as my eyebrows and nails etc. But if I want a brow tint I will go to the lovely ladies at Benefit Cosmetics, and my incredible hairdresser is Moana Riddell.
My celebrity beauty icon has recently become Selena Gomez, due to her amazing make-up artist Hung Vanngo. He is so creative and produces the most beautiful looks!
Kate Manihera is an Auckland-based make-up artist and vlogger.
