In my work as a Makeup Artist, I need to get models, actresses and celebrities looking super gorgeous, and fast! There’s often little time for me to spend prepping the skin and applying makeup, but if I’m going to spend time on anything, I always take time to get the skin looking as good as I can. If the skin isn’t in a good place, then any makeup that’s applied won’t sit properly or look good either.
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I’m also very disciplined when it comes to my own diet, exercise and skincare routine because I know that if I don’t make an effort then it really shows in my skin and the way that I feel.
During winter, when the central heating is on, flu is doing the rounds – and especially over the Festive period – late night parties are in full swing with indulgent food and drink in abundance, it’s no wonder that skin often doesn’t look at it’s best!
I passionately believe that the key to amazing skin is through a balance of eating fresh, seasonal food, avoiding any processed foods, working out and good skincare; however I’m not going to pretend it’s always easy to keep that up, particularly during party season. I’ve found lots of tried and tested tricks over the years, which I’ve shared in my book, Eat Beautiful. It’s a handbook of everything you need to get amazing skin from the inside out with skin-boosting recipes, beauty tips and a herbal pharmacy section as well as lots of gorgeous images.
You’ll have to get a copy of the book to find out all of my secrets, but here are a few top tips to keep you going!
WINTER SKIN SOS
Dull Skin
The best way to give dull skin a radiance boost is to exercise! As soon as you get the body moving, it’s sends blood rushing to the surface of the skin which helps to add an instant glow as well as nourishing new skin cells for a brighter, more luminous complexion. Exercise doesn’t have to mean getting up bright and early to go to the gym either, the good news is that swinging around on the dance floor for half an hour also counts!
Dry Skin
Moisturise! I can’t leave the house without moisturiser on myself and I’m always amazed when people tell me they don’t moisturise their skin at all. Use something that doesn’t contain artificial fragrance or any synthetic bulking agents. I like Sarah Chapman Dynamic Defence – because it’s an all-round great moisturiser with omega-rich oils, and it has SPF15 which so many people forget during the winter months. Making sure to include healthy fats and Omega Oils into your diet will also help to keep skin in good condition; try adding flax seed into your diet – they are packed with omegas and B vitamins which help to prevent dry, flaky skin.
Dehydrated Skin
Staying hydrated is a really important part of achieving great skin. It can sometimes be hard to drink enough water, so to stop the skin from becoming dehydrated, I always recommend trying to eat your water as well as drinking it. Foods like Cucumber, Spinach, Celery and Cabbage all contain over 90% water. Trying to eat more of these sorts of ingredients will help you get more water into your system.
Puffiness
Puffiness is never a good look and is one of the key signs of over indulgence during the party season! Unfortunately things that are plentiful during the Festive season such as sugar, cheese and alcohol are sure to leave you looking puffy the next morning. It’s OK to treat yourself in moderation, so if you are going to indulge, try and go for alcohol that doesn’t contain lots of sugar or additives such as clear Tequila and try to mix it with soda water instead of lemonade.
Congested Skin
Before you head out to a party or drinks evening, try to have a nutritious meal before you leave to reduce the temptation to go mad on unhealthy canapés and nibbles. One of my favourite winter skin-boosting recipes for clearing and detoxifying the skin (which also tastes amazing!) is my Red Cabbage Salad. Red Cabbage is packed with Vitamin C and anti-inflammatory carotenoids, whilst the salad also contains Broccoli, which is a great skin-clearing ingredient, rich in vitamin B2.
Red Cabbage Salad
Serves 2
183 calories per serving
1 carrot, finely sliced
1 green apple (unpeeled), cored and finely sliced
1 tbsp sliced almonds
1 piece of tenderstem broccoli, finely sliced
For the dressing:
1 tbsp extra- virgin olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp chopped fresh dill
1-2 tsp celery seeds
1-4 tsp ground turmeric
1-4 paprika
1-2 sea salt
1-2 ground black pepper
Have you heard of the paleo diet? It’s all about eating as the early humans might have done- so lots of meat, fish, vegetables and fruit and no cereals, dairy or processed foods. This is essentially a paleo recipe, being mostly vegetables and a little fruit. The red cabbage is the key ingredient for your skin, through the apple and carrot are beneficial, too, and broccoli is a good source of complexion- clearing vitamin B2. The salad is a favourite of mine- a dairy-free take of coleslaw, traditionally made with white cabbage. The red cabbage both looks better, in my view, and is much nicer to eat raw.
- Place the carrot, apple, cabbage, almonds, and broccoli in a bowl.
- Place the ingredients for the dressing in a small jug or bowl and stir well before pouring over the chopped salad ingredients and mixing together thoroughly.