Beauty tips and products
Making up isn't always hard to do. With a few basic
techniques and products, save money, time and still look great
Exfoliate
'Exfoliation is the simplest step towards a smooth, glowing complexion,' says Skin Wisdom's Bharti Vyas. 'Skin cells renew themselves roughly every 28 days, more as we grow older. Removing dead ones hanging around the surface will reveal fresher looking skin beneath, giving you an instant glow. So you need less make-up to hide a dull complexion. And anything else you apply on top is better absorbed. Do it just twice a week to see results.
Moisturise
'After exfoliating, all you need to apply is moisturiser. It guards against dehydration. And it also smoothes the skin's surface to reflect light for increased luminosity – dry skin absorbs light, making it look dull. A moisturiser with SPF (sun protection factor) gives the skin an added defence, or choose a tinted moisturiser.
Cleanse
'Finally, cleanse thoroughly,' says Bharti. 'Dirt and natural oils build up during the day, and night, complicating your make-up and skincare needs. They dull the complexion and block pores, causing blemishes. Keeping skin clean and smooth is the key to a routine that is easy to follow.'
What to look for
Exfoliator
Make sure that the texture is not too harsh as it can
damage skin.
Skin Wisdom derma polish, £5·86/125ml; Skin Wisdom smoothing facial polish, £2·34/100ml
Moisturiser
'Go for a light texture during the day. For oily skin, moisturiser only needs applying around the T-Zone – around the edges of the oily central area and under eyes,' says Bharti.
Skin Wisdom moisturiser SPF15, £6·84/50ml; Skin Wisdom tinted moisturiser, £4·88/50ml
Browse facial moisturisers online
Cleanser
'Get the best results from the simplest of routines,' says Bharti Vyas. Oily and combination skin responds well to water-based special cleansers – not soap as it is drying – that loosen dirt. Dry or delicate skin needs cream cleanser, applied with cotton wool, as water makes dry skin feel tight.
Skin Wisdom daily care cleansing facial wash, £1·95/150ml; Skin Wisdom radiance cleansing milk, £2·93/200ml
The natural look is in for autumn, with make-up replicating the skin's neutral tones. The secret is to make use of key products for a simple, time-saving routine that adds warmth to the complexion and enhances features without looking overly made up. 'It's simple,' says Barbara Daly, creator of Make-Up for Tesco. 'Use the same colour on eyes, lips and cheeks and you will look fresh and together.
'Try a cream blush, any shade of peach or rose will work, smoothed into the sockets, dabbed onto the apples of cheeks and rubbed quickly onto lips. Apply gloss on top when you're going out. If you don't have time for mascara, a quick squeeze with an eyelash curler will makes lashes look longer. For the evening, just smudge around lashes with brown liner or a little eyeshadow pencil to make eyes stand out. And use a little eyebrow pencil on the eyebrows as it's amazing how lifted the face looks when brows are defined.'
Clockwise from bottom left
Tesco waterproof mascara, £1·49;
Tesco eyeshadow shade 1 and shade 2, £1·49;
Barbara Daly soufflé blusher, £5·06;
Tesco lipgloss, nude and colour £1·49;
Tesco brown eyeshadow pencil, £1·49
Top tips for tools
A big round brush is vital for applying bronzer all over for instant radiance and loose powder, when needed, too.
Smaller blusher brushes are great for defining cheekbones – just sweep under and along them towards the tops of ears.
Ideally you need two eyeshadow brushes, one with short compact hairs for intensity of colour, and another with longer, fluffier hairs to swirl shades together for blending. Or you can combine them with an applicator too.
Retractable lip brushes aren't just ideal for getting more intense, defined lip colour. As well as using them to apply lipstick they are also great for putting on concealer.
Barbara Daly brushes:
Bronzer brush, £6·84; eyeshadow applicator, £2·32/4 pack; eyeshadow brush, £4·26; lip brush, £4·05
* Prices correct at time of launch (Sept/Oct 2009) and may be subject to change