Our now SOLD OUT (in 2 DAYS!) Fabulous Beauty Awards edit has a great selection of makeup, skin, body and haircare from a number of award-worthy brands. We asked a few members of team LiB how this edit slips into their routine and what products they’ve been loving. Read on to find out how you can WIN this sold out box PLUS a FOREO UFO 2.
LET’S START WITH SKIN TIPS FROM OUR E-COMMERCE DIRECTOR, DEAN.
Three words: Hydrate, Protect and Glow. For me, there are a few key things I focus on with my skin (face and body). Firstly, hydration. Hydrated skin not only looks better, younger and healthier (water reflects the light don’t you know), but also functions better. Then there is protection. This is arguably (no argument here) the number one thing you can do to slow ageing and even reverse some of the signs of ageing. The products featured in the Fabulous Beauty Awards Edit really hit the mark.
1 – Protect. Although the main protection from damaging UVA rays is 100% an SPF, I am also a huge believer in bolstering that protection with an antioxidant. For the day, after cleansing my face, I always apply a Vitamin C serum directly to my face or mix it with a light moisturiser. The Superdrug Vitamin C Facial Booster is great as it’s not too strong, so there is no irritation.
(optional) TIP: When using SPF, you don’t want too much between that and your SKIN, as SPF is designed to stick TO your skin, not 12 layers of other cream. So, keep it light.
2 – Neck and Body. Come rain or shine, for me, any skin exposed to the sun’s UVA rays (all year round) are covered in some SPF. To protect my arms and neck I’d use Soltan Once Advanced 8hr Protect SPF30 in place of a regular body moisturiser. This lotion sinks right in and doesn’t feel tacky.
If my body has been in the sun, then at the end of the day it can feel dry. For a boost of hydration, the Sanctuary Spa-Wet Skin Radiance Jelly is perfect for showers or a bath.
3 – Handy. One area of the body always exposed to the sun is, of course, your hands. Nothing gives away your age more than old looking hands. My tip is to choose a dedicated sun cream or lotion you like and use that as a HAND CREAM. Hawaiian Tropic is the most amazing thing for this – it’s not greasy and smells like a dream. They also come in smaller, handy sizes. Of course, you can use this head-to-toe.
4 – Glow over night. As an avid SPF wearer, I rarely tan, so I like to get my glow from a bottle. Three nights per week I will exfoliate my skin to create a clear canvas, and then apply some lovely tan drops. PIXI Glow Tonic is a cult fave and works nicely and the St Tropez Purity Vitamins Face Serum gives a nice, even and gentle tan.
A FABULOUS FACE WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP’S MANAGER, DONE
Achieving that dewy, ‘No Makeup’ makeup look can be as effortless as it looks. By selecting a handful of products and using them in more than one way, you’ll be able to master it in no time at all. Our Partnerships Manager Doné is sharing her personal tips and tricks!
After prepping with my skincare (and SPF!), I am ready to add colour. I have recently started using my concealer all over my face instead of foundation as I find I like the finish it gives. It provides me with a nice amount of coverage without looking cakey.
Top tip: Blend this in using a damp beauty sponge.
Once I have applied my concealer all over my face, and a lighter shade under my eyes, I move on to blush. Usually I would add bronzer but since we are going for the ‘naturally radiant’ look, I stick to blush (and don’t be shy with how much you apply!) For these dewy looks I try to avoid using a powder blush, instead reaching for a liquid or cream formula. I would recommend using either the MUA Liquid Cream Blush, or the Flower Beauty Petal Pout Lipstick on the cheeks – it’s a great multitasking pink!
Top tip: Apply to your finger and dab on the apples of the cheeks and bridge of the nose!
Once that’s all done, you can add a wash of colour to your eyelids (nothing crazy, just enough so they don’t look forgotten about). The MUA liquid cream blush could be used here as it blends like a dream and adds dimension. However, if like me and you prefer a powder product for your eyelids, the NARS powder blush in Orgasm works a dream. I lightly dust this over my lids and into the crease.
For the lips, it’s a good idea to again add a light wash of colour. I recommend using a peachy/pinky colour depending on your skin tone. I use the Flower Beauty Petal Pout Lipstick for this but the MUA Liquid Cream Blush would work just as well.
Top tip: Dab the product onto your finger and then pat on, focusing on the inner half of the lips. Doing this means you won’t have a harsh line around the edges of your lips so it’s not as obvious.
Because there’s no brow product in this box, I took it as a great opportunity to only tame them with a spoolie for a youthful, laminated look. To add some definition to the eyes, I always finish off with a slick of mascara. Eyeko’s Black Magic is ideal because it combines drama, volume and curl with a strong black finish.
AWARD-WINNING HAIR WITH EDITOR & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER, JEM.
Hair has never been my strong suit. In fact, with the exception of switching up my colour, I tend to do very little. Despite a strong sense of discouragement from my Mum (a qualified hairdresser), during lockdown, I took it upon myself to trim my own hair. Now, I am certainly no expert but a little trim of an inch or so (thankfully) didn’t turn out to be a complete disaster. Since I had already given it a cut, I thought I’d go one step further and give myself an at-home blow dry (very novel for me). Here’s how the routine went…
After shampooing, I used an old favourite of mine; one that I recommend to anyone with hair dryer than the Sahara: Aussie’s 3 Minute Miracle Deep Treatment. After slathering on my hair and an impromptu karaoke session in the shower (that definitely lasted longer than three minutes), my hair felt instantly detangled and ready for rinsing. After a shower, I will always pop my hair in a turban towel (current fave is this stripy Dock & Bay number). I find this helps to remove most of the moisturise without any harsh towel drying. It also decreases blow dry time, and for a lazy gal like me that’s essential. While I potter around waiting for it to dry a little, I often give my nails a treatment with Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails.
It’s always essential to add a heat protectant before blasting your hair with heat. Therefore, before blow drying, spritz hair with the Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Big Blow Dry Spray. Not only does this protect hair with 235 degrees thermal protection, it adds volume, shine and weightless control ready for styling. Talking about styling, I like to keep it pretty simple; a little backcombing at the roots and a dash of texture spray for good measure. If you’re going for an up-do, the Schwarzkopf Got2b Glued Blasting Freeze Spray will quite literally freeze everything in place.
To maintain my hair before its next wash, a day or two after the aforementioned ritual, I will whip out the Batiste Dry Shampoo Original Clean & Classic. You can’t go wrong with this for a fresher, revitalised look with a touch of volume.
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If you missed out the first time, enter our competition below to be in with a chance of winning FOREO’s OUT OF THIS WORD UFO 2 and mask bundle PLUS the sold out Fabulous edit.
