Sometimes you just need a few simple tweaks to keep looking gorgeous…
1 GET A CUT THAT SUITS YOUR LIFESTYLE
“Be realistic about how long you have to do your hair in the morning, then work with your stylist to find a look you can re-create within that amount of time,” says Shelene Shaer, owner of Tanaz hair salon in Illovo, Johannesburg. If your hair is straight, go for a layered cut that will dry with plenty of volume — whether you use a hair-dryer or not. If you have curls, consider growing them long. Their weight will prevent puffiness, even when you can’t blow-dry.
Regularly trim split ends, advises Shaer. Freshly cut hair is more manageable and easier to style. Also, comb conditioner through with a wide-toothed comb, and rinse it out thoroughly to prevent it weighing hair down and making it look flat and dull.
2 SPLURGE ON THE RIGHT TOOLS
If you’re still carrying around those tiny make-up applicators that often come in compacts, you’re not using your make-up to its full potential. Stock your cosmetics bag with a powder brush (use it for loose powder, bronzer and blush), a big eyelid brush for all-over coverage, a “crease” brush that concentrates colour on your lids, a concealer brush for applying cover-up under your eyes and around your nose, and a short-angled brush to perfectly place gel eyeliner and brow powder. A lip brush enables you to get to the very last lick of your lip colour.
Tip: Never soak make-up brushes in water or let them dry vertically with the brush facing up. Rather lie them flat or with the brush pointing downwards; the water and lingering moisture will soften the glue and the brush fibres will come loose.
3 GO FOR THE BRONZE
Thanks to fluctuating hormones and the sun’s UV rays, our complexions become increasingly mottled as we age. The easiest way to even out discoloration is to use a big, fluffy brush to swipe powder bronzer over your face (layer blush on top). “The tanned tint camouflages dark spots on any complexion, giving you a uniform, younger look,” says Eugenia Weston, a top US make-up artist. For the most natural effect, pick a bronzer no more than one shade deeper than your skin colour.
4 NEVER STEP OUT SANS PROTECTION
“Regardless of how much damage you’ve accrued, using a high-SPF sunscreen every day, all year, is key to preventing wrinkles from forming. Keep it in the bathroom next to your toothbrush so it becomes a habit,” says dermatologist Dr Jody Levine, who also suggests choosing a formula with free radical-fighting antioxidants such as green tea or vitamins C and E, which have been proven to enhance the efficacy of your sunscreen. Aim for an SPF of 20+; most people under-apply. The higher you go, the better chance you have at getting adequate protection.
5 TAKE A MAKE-UP LESSON
“Trends change quickly these days, and technology is evolving so rapidly that it’s wise to have a professional show you how to make the newest colours and textures work for you — once a year if possible — so you never end up with a dated look,” says Weston. In general, leading cosmetic shop make-up artists are more than happy to demonstrate ways you can update your look for free. Most beauty companies introduce new collections regularly with the change of seasons, so now’s a good time to drop by for the latest looks for winter coming in.
6 BOOK A PROFESSIONAL BROW APPOINTMENT
“With time, our natural brow line begins to droop, particularly at the outer corners,” says aesthetician Sue Ellen Gifford. “A well-groomed brow opens up the eye area and can give your whole face a lift without needles or surgery.” Visit a professional for shaping every six to eight weeks; like the hair on your head, brows grow and require maintenance. Expect to pay anywhere from R200 upwards for the service.
7 USE LESS FOUNDATION
“When applied in excess, foundation can actually emphasise fine lines and wrinkles,” says Weston. To determine the amount you need, follow this easy guide: For liquids, a R2-coin-sized dollop will cover your face and neck; for powders and creams, a thin layer or two is sufficient. Weston recommends always using a primer underneath your base to help your make-up spread more evenly (and not settle into creases) and adhere to skin all day long.
8 HYDRATE, HYDRATE, AND HYDRATE SOME MORE
A perpetual lack of moisture makes your face more likely to develop lines. That’s why consistent moisturising is important, whether your complexion is dry or oily. If you have normal skin, apply an anti-ageing formula which is loaded with Sirtuin EX-1 technology to help skin cells renew their ability to withstand daily assaults and tri-hyaluronic acid that works to replenish, rebuild and sustain the ideal moist environment for lineless, youthful looking skin. If your face tends to be greasy, use an oil-free moisturiser in the morning only.
9 DON’T CLIP YOUR CUTICLES
“They’re essentially the only living part of your nail; trimming can traumatise them and trigger defects and ridges as your nails grow,” says dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo. To keep cuticles neat and discourage future growth, soak them in a bowl of warm water before painting them with Trind Cuticle remover, which will soften and remove overgrown skin. Then use a fairly rough nail buffer to rub the dead skin off the nail bed. Finish by conditioning and nourishing the area with a dedicated cuticle oil or cuticle cream.
10 STOCK UP ON SPONGES
Blending is the cornerstone of a flawless make-up look devoid of noticeable lines, and nothing gets the job done like a make-up sponge. “It’s the ideal tool for spreading liquid foundation, but you can also dampen it, squeeze it out, and press it gently onto your face to smooth and freshen hours-old make-up,” advises make-up artist Sandy Linter.
11 INDULGE IN MORE THAN ONE FRAGRANCE
“The idea of one signature scent is outdated,” says Ellen Molner, senior vice president of Givaudan Fragrances, which creates perfumes for many top beauty companies. It’s more modern to rotate your fragrances throughout the year depending on the season. “Save the refreshing, citrusy scents for summer, when your skin is hot and intensifies the perfumes you wear, and use the richer fragrances with spicy or musky notes for winter, when they won’t overpower,” says Molner.
12 START EARLY WITH RETINOL PRODUCTS
“Once a woman hits 20 — unless she’s pregnant or nursing — I tell her to incorporate retinol (a vitamin A derivative) into her regimen,” says Levine. “It’s the only ingredient that’s been consistently proven to improve discoloration, wrinkles, and even pimples over the long term. Every woman can benefit from it.” Smooth onto your face and neck at night (retinol can make your skin sensitive to UV light, so it’s best not to use it while the sun’s out).
Tip: Always use products containing retinol at night and never forget to wear sunscreen when you’re on a retinol skincare programme.
13 RETHINK YOUR STIFF-HOLD HAIR SPRAY
“Hair that’s shiny and moves freely projects youth; just picture a little kid’s locks,” says New York salon owner Gretta Cole. If you require hold, try a spritz labelled “flexible”, which typically means it contains polymers that bend and move with your hair rather than plastering it to your scalp.
14 KEEP CLEAR GLOSS HANDY
As we age, our lips lose collagen and pigment, making them appear thinner and less rosy. “Applying clear gloss adds instant dimension and sheen,” says Weston. The latest versions feature collagen-boosting ingredients such as dermaxyl and maxi lip, and with continual use they can make your pout plumper.
15 MASTER MAKE-UP HANDIWORK
“Like paint on a paintbrush, the first swipe of any make-up colour — lip, cheek or eye — always comes out darkest,” says Weston. To ensure you look glam, not garish, control your application by using the back of your hand as a palette, applying cream formulas to it before smoothing them onto your face. When dusting on powders, be sure to tap the brush first on the edge of the sink to remove excess product.
16 WHITEN YOUR TEETH
“The more you drink staining beverages like red wine, coffee, tea, and cola, and eat foods with marinara or soya sauce or blueberries, the dingier your teeth will become,” says cosmetic dentist Debra Glassman. To get yours in top form, see your dentist for a whitening procedure. For more gradual, but also impressive, results, try at-home whitening strips or gels — use gels for larger teeth and strips for smaller ones.
17 BE GENTLE TO YOUR EYES
“The skin around your eyes is thin and delicate and has no oil glands to keep it supple,” says Sonya Dakar, a US aesthetician who has worked with stars like Debra Messing and Drew Barrymore. When applying eye make-up, cream, or concealer, use a light touch to avoid pulling at, and eventually breaking down, the collagen and elastin fibres that keep your under-eye skin firm. Dakar suggests patting in eye cream with your ring finger, which is weakest and exerts the least amount of pressure on the skin, and making sure to extend it towards your hairline, where expression lines crop up first.
18 ACCEPT THAT LESS IS MORE
As your face loses elasticity and moisture — a by-product of age — colour can appear less flattering than it once did (think of how bright paint would look applied to a wrinkled canvas as opposed to a taut one). To guarantee continued elegance, Weston suggests playing up only your best feature after age 30 — whether it’s your lips, cheeks, or eyes — and minimising the rest. If you have great cheekbones, for example, bring them out with a moisturising highlighter (for hydration and a hint of tint), then pair with a nude lip colour.
19 FIND THE RIGHT RED
Red lipstick is a classic. Every woman should have one in her make-up arsenal, as unlike trendier tones, reds never go out of style.
20 LEARN TO LOVE YOUR LOOKS
The more you fight what you were given, the less beautiful you appear. People who are unhappy with their looks tend to overcompensate with make-up or plastic surgery, which can ultimately yield an unnatural effect. Beauty is a self-fulfilling prophecy. When you believe you’re beautiful, you become more beautiful.
World-famous make-up artist Bobbi Brown emphasises in her book, Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual (Springboard Press), that we’re way too critical of our looks: “Stand back and assess what’s right about your face, instead of what’s wrong.” Play up your best features, whether it’s gorgeous skin, stunning eyebrows, lovely eyes, high cheekbones, a beautiful jaw line or luscious lips. There’s no such thing as an ugly woman, she says. So there!
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