Morning beauty routine
I don’t spend a lot of time getting ready in the morning because my focus is on getting the kids to school.
With that said, I don’t leave the house without some form of make-up, although I’m gradually getting better.
I use Dermalogica Microfoliant in the shower, but don’t bother with a toner.
I’ve recently discovered The Ordinary brand. If I’m motivated I’ll use their Buffet, then Argireline Solution 10% (under eyes), then Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% (a form of Vitamin C) followed by my regular moisturiser, Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance.
I’m currently using a sample of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye which is surely the most delicious eye-cream on the planet.
I’ve used Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation for years with a dusting of the matching powder which includes sunscreen and doesn’t need to be touched up, plus I like a good coverage.
I break the rules by opting for a slightly darker colour than my skin, with yellow undertones. I joke with the make-up team at work that my natural skin tone is pale and pasty – so why would I want to match my foundation to that?
I like a dusting of bronzer as well; I’m using Nars Laguna and use it as an eye shadow too.
I’m a huge fan of liquid eyeliner. After years of trial and error, I’ve found that the gel applied with a brush are better than the pen liners. MAC and Bobbi Brown do good ones, and I’ve got a MAC angled brush to apply it with.
I wash my hair every second or third day and use Kevin Murphy Blonde Angel range. I also use Fanci-full White Minx which is basically an old lady blue rinse.
My hair is naturally coarse and withstands a lot of bleach and blow-drying so I use Redken Diamond Oil or Kevin Murphy Young Again, and L’Oreal Mythic Oil Crème Universelle so it’s not a big fluffy mess. I just put the products in and let it air dry.
Nights out
To go from day to night I really just follow the same template but amp it all up to be bigger and bolder.
Charlotte Tilbury’s Sexy Sienna lipstick is the nude I’d been looking for my whole life, but at night I’ll opt for something brighter like MAC Morange, Candy Yum Yum, Relentlessly Red or Tropic Tonic.
I might add liner in my waterline (MAC Kohl) and maybe add eyeshadow with a bit of a shine.
The Dolce Vita palette by Charlotte Tilbury is great and she does very useful videos on how to use one palette from day to night.
I don’t spend a lot of time getting ready. I just go bigger and bolder with the make-up I use for daytime.
I might add some contouring with Charlotte Tilbury’s Filmstar Bronze and Glow, because if it works for Kim K then it’s probably worth trying!
My hair is short so the most I would do is straighten it.
Evening routine
I use Dermalogica PreCleanse, followed by a cleanser. I don’t have any real favourites but at the moment I’m using Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Foam which isn’t drying like most foam cleansers.
I’ve tried lots of eye make-up removers but always go back to Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover. I always change my evening routine – one night I will use The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2%, or Retrieve cream, followed by The Ordinary Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil.
The next night I’ll use The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% – with that name it must do something right?!
Every now and then I use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution for exfoliation. Despite the name, there’s actually no peeling but you’re only supposed to leave it on for 10 minutes.
Beauty favourites
The only pampering I get regularly is a gel manicure at Cherry Nails every couple of weeks or so. It stops me biting my nails and is such a time-saver.
I generally get my hair cut and coloured at work but I go to a salon if I feel like more of a pamper experience with coffee and magazines. I’m always armed with Pinterest pictures of Michelle Williams or Robin Wright for inspiration.
I don’t have spray tans often but I’ve had a great experience at SAS Clinic in Newmarket, with St. Tropez products.
