Beauty Base-lift, skintox, embrace natural wave

A beautiful face starts with perfect skin, so try these fundamental fixes and cover-ups

Best to decongest

The perfect pick-me-up for a dull complexion is a face mask – especially a clay one. In fact, one of the most detoxing and deeply cleansing is pink clay, found on our doorstep here in Australia. Not only is it a magnet for toxins, it purifies the skin and tightens pores instantly, making makeup glide over the top for a smoother application. One of our new favourites is Sand & Sky Purifying Pink Clay Mask $69.90, which also contains organic licorice to stimulate new cell production, pomegranate to boost collagen and Kakadu plum to shield the skin from aggressors.

Plump it up

If fine lines are bugging you, save on the Botox and invest in serums and creams that do some serious plumping of their own. Owner and founder of Lux Allure, Carly Porter, says hyaluronic acid is one of the superstars. “It keeps collagen synthesis up and it revitalises the skin’s outer layers so they look and feel softer, smoother and hydrated to instantly improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” she says. Especially in the dryer winter months, Carly recommends applying twice a day, as you would with your regular serum or moisturiser, all over your face and neck. “It will help makeup sit evenly because there are no dry patches and it reduces the risk of makeup creasingg in the fine lines.”

TRY 1 Avene Physiolift Smoothing Plumping Serum $69.95 2 Lux Allure Native Moisturiser $55 3 The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, $12.90

Prime time

Makeup primers have come a long way and now do a lot more than just help your makeup stay in place. Whatever your concern there’s a primer to fix it, including blurring large pores, evening out uneven skin tone, counteracting redness, adding a light tan and highlighting the skin. “Targeted primers can take your skin from drab to fab,” says Sydney makeup artist Rani Shortland. “So don’t forget this vital step!” TRY 1 Luma Liquid Light Illuminating Primer $29.95 2 Luma Natural Radiance Bronzing Primer $29.95 3 Designer Brands Pore Minimising Primer $14.99

FAST FINISHES

The correct foundation is a canvas for the rest of your makeup, concealing imperfections, unifying skin tone and creating a flawless finish. Here are three of our new favourites...

OILY SKIN Giorgio Armani Face Fabric Second Skin Makeup $69 With a matte finish, this is great for oily T-zones.

ACNE-PRONE SKIN The Body Shop Matte Clay Skin Clarifying Foundation $19 Enriched with skin-clearing tea tree and oil-absorbing properties.

DRY SKIN Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Everyday Perfection Bouncy Makeup $50 The gel formula seals pigments, essential oils and antioxidants to the skin while also brightening.