Morning routine
The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is drink a big glass of water, and spritz some toner on my face – I do that twice a day.
At the moment I’m using a toner called Face Mist, with sandalwood and rose floral dew. It’s from Petal Head, which is a really cool New Zealand company.
I always try to use local and natural products when I can, but I’m not loyal to any brand in particular – I just cobble things together.
Because I work with make-up artists quite a lot, they’ll use things on my face and I’ll think “Oh, great! I’m going to use that too!”
I also love to put on Antipodes Divine Face Oil, it’s basically my favourite thing because it smells incredible and makes my face feel delicious.
Hair & Makeup
Before I put apply any makeup in the morning, I take my panda eyes off from the night before. The stuff that I swear by is Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover. You just get it from the supermarket, if it’s on special it’s only ten bucks and it even gets off waterproof mascara. I’ve tried expensive eye make-up removers, and they’re just a waste of time.
I don’t really wear foundation during the day, instead I use Andalou Naturals Vitamin C BB Beauty Balm Sheer Tint with SPF 30. It’s got a tiny bit of sparkle in it, like MAC strobe cream and its super dewy.
Sometimes I use a face brightener, like MAC Prep and Prime Natural Radiance that comes in the big black bottle.
I’m finding as I get older I can look a bit pale and washed out, so I always use blusher and bronzer, with a sneaky bit of contouring.
Benetint by Benefit Cosmetics is good on my cheeks because it stays put for ages. My favourite bronzer is a special edition Bobbi Brown shade called Elvis Duran, but a similar colour is M.A.C Matte Bronze C65. It’s got a teeny, tiny bit of pink in it, but it’s not super sparkly.
On my brows I use Brow Zings by Benefit, with a brush. If I’m travelling I often switch to a wind-up MAC pencil.
For my lashes I swear by Lilash to keep them nice and long, and I use MAC False Lashes Waterproof which is incredible because you can layer it up.
On my lips during the day I use a MAC pencil in ‘Whirl’, it’s a pinky-brown shade which is good for me because it’s pretty much the same colour as my own lips, but just a little bit darker.
I’ve got really curly, wavy hair, and it benefits from a little bit of bossing around. I wash it about twice a week and when it’s wet I put Kevin Murphy Body Builder volumising mousse in the roots and Wella Luxe Oil through ends.
I then blow-dry it, combing with my fingers to begin with my head upside down to get some body into it. I then use a Denman barrel brush which is an inch and a half thick to dry the rest.
A couple of years ago I invested in a professional hair-dryer by GHD, and it was the best decision I ever made.
When my hair’s a bit dirty, it’s better. And my friends will say to me “Oh man, your hair looks great today!” And I’m like, it’s disgusting, it’s filthy.
I use Eithne Curran hair products when I can, she’s local and natural so right up my alley, and I love to support a local business woman who’s rockin it.
On my eye lids during the day I use M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Layin’ Low but If I have to dress up a day makeup look to go out, I’ll put eyeliner on in the rim of my upper eyelid, and try make my eyes smokier on the top.
Years ago I was taught by a makeup artist that if you’ve got brown eyes you should use purple colours on them, so that’s what I do – with a mish-mash of MAC and Bobbi Brown eyeshadows.
Since getting older, I don’t use heavy foundation because I don’t like products that look dry on my face.
When I was a teenager I wore hardly any makeup, I was too much of a nerd – but these days I wear it because I like making myself look prettier, it’s a really nice thing to do for myself.
Sometimes I’ll opt for a tinted moisturiser, I swear by NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer to make me a bit sparkly. I also love NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in custard, with an EcoTools brush.
I learnt doing theatre how important it is to have decent makeup brushes, and it feels good not to be dragging my fingers on my skin – it’s nice to be kind to your face.
I love getting my makeup done at work, because It’s 7am and I can just have someone just stand there and pat my face while I just chill out.
Evening routine
In the evenings I use a Trilogy Cream Cleanser to wash my face, and sometimes I’ll whack on a packet face mask from Sephora.
I really admire women in Hollywood who are allowing themselves to age, like Susan Sarandon and Helen Mirren. Kate Winslet who’s my age is my beauty icon, because she’s gorgeous in a classic way – elegant and done up, but with a natural vibe.
These days I look in the mirror and make the most of what I’ve got right now. And hopefully, when I’m 60, I’ll be making the most of what I’ve got right now.
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