Beauty News

Ways to boost your skincare

Transform your skin and get more out of the pricey products you use by making a few simple changes to your daily beauty routine.
beauty, beauty tips, skincare

Your routine

  • Always apply serums and creams to just-washed skin. Damp skin acts like a sponge, quickly absorbing product.

  • Cleansing with lukewarm rather than cold will raise the skin’s temperature slightly which will help ingredients move through the skin faster and interact with cells. Don’t have the water too hot, as that can aggravate broken capillaries and leave the skin dehydrated and sensitive.

  • Remember whichever product you use first will penetrate the best. That’s why anti-ageing serums with more active ingredients should be applied before creams. The same goes for treatments to tackle pimples or pigmentation – always use on bare skin and then top with a moisturiser to create a protective barrier.

  • Pat moisturiser in to your skin rather than smoothing or massaging it in. Lightly but firmly press your palms against your face and neck until the sticky feeling disappears.

  • If you are using a face mask always exfoliate gently first.

  • Go for regular facials if you can. Beauticians use more concentrated and active products, boosting your home skincare routine.

Your habits

  • Skincare can only do so much to limit damage and slow ageing. Changing a few little bad habits can make all the difference.

  • Sugar is believed to weaken the structural proteins in your skin, such as collagen and elastin, so you look older faster.

  • Sun exposure/UVA rays is the number one cause of premature ageing. This is an issue in both winter and summer. Even a pane of glass won’t protect you.

  • Smoking causes a reduction in blood circulation which affects oxygen and nutrient levels – meaning lacklustre skin. Long-term, it damages cells, affecting skin plumpness and elasticity.

  • Stress changes your skin barrier, meaning cells are less able to hold onto water and skin dehydrates. Oh, and it gives you frown lines.

  • Too much alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, creating redness.

MY BEAUTY SECRETS

Gilda Kirkpatrick (38) is an Auckland socialite and runs her own advertising/ PR agency.

My beauty philosophy is… Aesthetically or spiritually, beauty is what human beings have always aimed for. Beauty is pleasant and gives a feeling of closeness to the idea of completeness and perfection.

The skincare products I can’t live without are… I absolutely depend on La Prairie Cellular Radiance Eye Cream and Cellular Radiance Emulsion SPF 30 as I’m too lazy to wear sun cream.

My haircare secret is…  I use KeraStraight Maintain Shampoo and Conditioner and love my flat iron. I also adore brushes with natural bristles – they make such a difference to the condition of hair.

The must-have products in my makeup bag are… I’m Persian and eye makeup has been used in our culture for around 5000 years. So it’s extremely important to me and I have very poetic views on it. I believe eyes have a language of their own and I like mine with a heavy accent. Diorshow 360 Mascara and Guerlain Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl Liner are my eyes best friends.

My favourite beauty treat is… I don’t get massages unless I’m away on holiday and never facials – I don’t like the idea of other people touching my face. But I love my masks. I use hydrating face masks and under-eye patches – best feeling ever.

My biggest beauty sin is… I’m really lazy when it comes to removing makeup, especially after a late night out. It’s not a good look really, especially if I’ve been wearing red lipstick.

The best thing my mother taught me about beauty was… She always told me beauty is ageless as long as there is substance.

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