About face
I’m about the age (47) when many women (but not all) start thinking more seriously about skincare. As someone who’s always preferred a pared-back approach when it comes to beauty, I’ve realised – mainly via Red’s brilliantly knowledgeable beauty team – that there’s more I could be doing to keep my skin looking fresh and glowing beyond my previous splash of water and dollop of SPF. I still think my life is too busy for a lengthy multiple-step routine, but I’ve definitely found products and treatments I love.
Before sharing my recommendations, I caveat all this by saying I cheerlead everyone making their own beauty choices, whatever they may or may not be. In this month’s Face Value, Red’s senior beauty editor Alexandra Friend describes the team’s collective attitudes as ‘a broad church’, and I probably sit in the middle of them all – filler-avoidant but most-other-things-curious. For all their excellent insights, turn straight to page 88 – and as for me? I still just wash my face in my morning shower, but then I use a vitamin C serum
– I like Medik8 C-tetra Luxe – before applying Sarah Chapman Skinesis Skin Insurance SPF50, which is tinted and gives good glow. It’s the best thing I’ve found for sun protection (it prevents infrared, thermal and UV damage) that doubles as a lightweight foundation, too. In the evenings, I use a cleansing balm – de Mamiel Restorative Cleansing Balm – and then finish with a few pumps of Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream – expensive, but it goes a long way.
Treatment-wise, I loved Emface, which uses electromagnetic stimulation to tone facial muscles and build collagen, at Sarah Chapman’s Skinesis Clinic; I’ve tiptoed into Botox, just on the ‘11’ between my eyebrows; and I’ve recently discovered Belotero Revive – courtesy of Dr Ellie Sateei – tiny, precise injections of hyaluronic acid and glycerol that moisturise the skin from the inside out.
Do I look any different? Possibly not to the rest of the world. Do I feel different? Definitely. And, as we know, beauty is often an inside job anyway.