While I loathe the Valentine’s Day hype, I do like that it’s the perfect excuse for busy people to take a break and have a date night, even if it’s only fish and chips on a bench in the park! Here’s how to prepare for a special date in minutes.
- Keep your lips kissable
Put aside your lippy for the night and opt for a non-sticky gloss instead.
- Boost your lashes
If you’re being taken for a glam night out, then salon lash extensions could be a great idea. They cost $50 to $70 but should last at least a couple of weeks.
- Get glowing
Never underestimate the power of bronzer. Choose a flattering pinky-brown formula Moving in a circular motion, lightly buff the apples of the cheeks, the temples and hairline and under the jawbone, creating a halo effect around the face. Leave the areas around your nose and eyes alone, as bronzer can create too much darkness there and make you look older.
- Sort your scent
Spritz fragrance on your pulse points as they give off heat and release scent – so we’re talking wrists, inner elbows, neck hollow, behind the ears and behind the knees. Apply no more than three spays of eau de parfum or four of eau de toilette.
Over time you’re desensitised to fragrances, so don’t spray more, particularly if it’s a hot day, as your body temperature will cause the perfume to expand and become stronger
**MY BEAUTY SECRETS
**Peta Mathias (62) is a chef, author, broadcaster and Weekly columnist.
My beauty philosophy is… Definitely doesn’t come from within. I know we’re ****all gorgeous and wonderful underneath the skin. In our hearts we’re Scarlett Johansson and in our minds we’re George Clooney’s latest squeeze, but the reality is most of us are pretty ordinary.
To be beautiful, you have to care and make an effort. Most people could be much better looking if they had the right haircut and colour, a little makeup and a fearless attitude to wearing colour. Beauty isn’t about high cheekbones and rosebud lips, it’s about personal style.
The must-have products in my makeup bag are… Normally I only wear Dr Hauschka Soft Coral Lipstick, Toned Day Cream and Eyebrow Pencil. If it’s a special occasion I put on Sisley foundation and lots of eye makeup. I would never be without concealer.
My hair-care secret is… Argan oil products. I rub a little Moroccanoil into my hair every day. I only wash my hair every three days as it’s so dry. I have recently decided to never put harsh chemicals in my hair again, so I go to Hue and my colour is now organic with no ammonia.
The skincare products I can’t live without are… Any oily face cream and body cream like Kiehl’s Crème De Corps. I use lots of it every day. I have dry skin and will turn into a snake if left alone for 24 hours, so I slap it on in buckets. This doesn’t stop every massage therapist I have ever met saying, “Gosh, your skin has just soaked up a litre of my oil.”
My favourite beauty treat is… A massage from Maria at Intuitive Hands, because she not only treats your body, she treats your heart.
My biggest beauty sin is… Not taking my makeup off before I go to bed. It has never had the slightest bad effect on my skin, so I keep on sinning.
The best thing my mother taught me about beauty was… That one day I would be beautiful like her, but it never happened and then eventually it didn’t matter. She also got me using face cream from the age of 13 and not a day of my life has passed without it since.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Save your strands! The secret hack for damaged hair
Native ad body.
