All about the base. I’ve always talked about the importance of skincare to create the perfect base, and it’s the key to having a beautiful complexion. Having hydrated skin will give you that ‘bounce’ and prep your skin for a smooth base before applying your foundation.
I’m currently loving the Chantecaille Bio Lifting Cream + which has a velvety rich texture and melts into the skin without leaving a greasy finish. My top tip is to leave the moisturiser on for at least 10 minutes before applying any base makeup.
As the seasons change and the weather gets warmer and days brighter, I love to channel a more natural look with fresh, rosy skin. My go-to look is a sheer and dewy base with ‘pinched’ cheeks and lips; from skincare tips to makeup tricks, here’s how to get the look.
Roll up
The technique that I love for an optimum glow for myself and my clients is facial massage. There are so many tools out there such as jade and rose quartz rollers (I love Herbivore Botanicals, £26) to encourage lymphatic drainage which detoxes the skin and to get your circulation flowing, giving you a brighter and healthier glow. I love using this first thing in the morning after cleansing, especially if my face is feeling puffy and even use this over a moisturising sheet mask such as La Mer’s The Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask, £120, if my skin needs an extra boost of hydration. Keep your roller in the fridge for a cooling and soothing effect.
Everyone has their personal preference when it comes to applying makeup; I usually go for brushes but when it comes to getting a really natural-looking finish, I love to use my fingers for foundation and concealer instead for that ‘second skin’ effect. The warmth of the fingers melts the product into the skin, giving a lighter coverage. It’s also a great technique if you want to show off you freckles while covering imperfections or redness.
Use a liquid foundation with a light texture such as BECCA’s Skin Love Weightless Blur Foundation, £32, and you could even mix a pea-sized amount of moisturiser or liquid highlighter if you want a super sheer and dewy finish. Use a light hand for concealer – I love Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage, £28.50, which has two shades in the palette so you can colour match the different areas of the face.
Colour play
2018 was all about a defined contour and extreme highlighting, however I think this year will be all about that dewy, rosy skin that looks like you’re fresh out of the gym or have just gone for a brisk walk. In my last column, I wrote all about how blush was making a comeback and it’s one of my favourite parts of this look. Adding a flush of colour to the cheeks ties the whole look together, and makes you look healthier and happier.
I love using multi-tasking stains or creams across both the cheeks and lips (try Benefit’s Benetint, £25.50 or Armani Beauty’s Neo Nude-A-Blush, £31, which can also double as a lip stain). If your lips are a little dry but you still want some coverage, try Kiehls’ Love Oil for Lips, £18, which adds a glossy tint while keeping them nourished without that sticky feeling a traditional gloss can give.
15 Gorgeous Short Hairstyle Ideas For Black Women
If you think having short hair is limiting when it comes to styling it, we’re here to prove you wrong.
Whether you’ve always preferred your hair short and are just looking for ways to switch things up or you just recently got a major haircut and have no idea what to do with it (we get it – blunt bobs are having a moment right now, but how do we style them?), believe us when we say that having curls and waves that are shorter than shoulder-length holds many opportunities.
We’ve done the research. While scouring the internet for the prettiest short hairstyles, we couldn’t help but stop and stare at the ones on our favorite celebrities. Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved-on-the-sides Mohawk in its new shade of blond had us speechless. Tinashe’s shoulder-length layers with straight bangs and Danai Gurira’s picked-out Afro – courtesy of her hairstylist, Vernon Francois – have both made their way into the save folders of our Instagram accounts. Hannah Bronfman’s gilded braids by her go-to stylist Nikki Nelms is the perfect look for festival season whether you decide to add the flecks of gold or not.
We’ve also come across face-framing braids, natural hairstyles that allow your texture to shine, and prettiest pixies (both curly and straightened). Some styles look as though they take just a few moments to do, while others require a little more moxie (and the help of your favorite curl cocktail), but it’s safe to say that if you’re looking for a new way to style your hair, you have options.
With the many looks out there, we can’t help but be inspired. Ahead, see our picks for the prettiest hairstyles for short hair this season.
