Brilliant bases for older skin
MY SKIN is particularly dry at the moment and, as a result, my foundation keeps going patchy. It sits in the lines around my mouth and eyes making them look more obvious. Can you suggest anything to help?
Jane, 56, London. AS we age, our skin gets drier and it can be hard to keep foundation in place all day. One of the main reasons our make-up goes patchy is a bad skincare routine.
Lisa Potter-Dixon, head make-up artist for Benefit Cosmetics, says the three vital steps to better foundation are to prepare, prime and perfect the skin before applying.
For particularly dry skin, like Jane’s, Lisa suggests mixing a facial oil such as Nude ProGenius Omega Treatment Oil (£58, nudeskincare.com) with your usual moisturiser. ‘This will add a healthy glow and keep your skin hydrated for longer.’
Celebrity facialist Sarah Chapman says that exfoliation is also vital for an even make-up finish.
‘Pores will appear smaller as skin will be decongested, creating a smoother canvas,’ she says.
She also recommends keeping a facial spray to hand — try Chanel’s Hydra Beauty essence Mist (£44, selfridges. com) — and using a treatment mask.
‘They are great at targeting specific skin conditions, from dryness to uneven texture,’ Sarah says.
For the summer months, the Sarah Chapman 3D Moisture Infusion Mask (£39, spacenk.com) is especially good. It instantly hydrates, soothes and plumps — keep it in the fridge and use it to calm redness. The next step is a primer. ‘Until a few years ago, primers were a make-up artist’s biggest secret,’ says Lisa.
‘They act as a protective barrier, preventing your moisturiser from mixing with your make-up.’
And if you need an extra glow, choose a brightening primer with reflective compounds. Benefit’s POREFESSIONAL face primer (£24.50, benefitcosmetics.co.uk) provides the perfect canvas on your skin, ready for foundation.
Lisa also recommends liquid foundation rather than powder. ‘Powder will immediately look heavy and cakey,’ she says. ‘Instead, use a foundation such as Perricone MD No Foundation Serum (£45, selfridges.com).
‘For best results, apply using a brush, starting in the centre of the face and blending out towards the hairline. Next, conceal any problem areas. A good tip is to mix eye cream with concealer on the back of your hand before you apply it. The extra moisture will stop it from sitting in the lines.’
Lisa’s top tip is to apply a highlighting primer on the eyelids for wider, brighter eyes.
EASY On The eyes by Lisa Potter-Dixon is available at the special price of £10.99 (RRP £14.99) including p&p, by calling Macmillan Direct on 01256 302699 and quoting GLR eC2.
MY SIX FAVOURITE PRIMERS
BEST FOR SETTING MAKE-UP Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water (£20, boots.com) THIS new primer water is a multi-tasking spray that promises to create a smooth base for make-up. But it also works brilliantly sprayed over the top of your make-up to keep it in place.
The super-fine mist is hydrating and helps to absorb excess oil so shiny patches don’t appear. BEST FOR MATURE SKIN Kiehl’s Micro-Blur Skin Perfector (£23, kiehls.co.uk) THIS works wonders as a primer — it has a blurring effect that creates an even surface so your make-up applies better.
It is also a great skincare product as it uses lentil extract to gently exfoliate and tighten the surface of the skin.
It’s perfect for mature skin because it’s not too rich and won’t clog your pores. BEST FOR OILY SKIN Revlon PhotoReady Prime + anti-Shine Balm (£9.99, boots.com) SOME products that keep shine at bay can feel dry, but this is a soft, hydrating balm that makes skin feel supple and smooth. I used it before applying my makeup and to touch up shiny patches on my nose and chin throughout the day and it was fantastic.
For the best results, apply with a sponge. BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN Dermalogica Redness Relief Primer (£38.40, dermalogica.co.uk) PERFECT for skin that is sensitive, prone to inflammation or rosacea, this calming greentinted primer helps to neutralise any redness and smooths skin.
Long-term, it also works to reduce hypersensitivity.
BEST FOR ENLARGED PORES
Bobbi Brown Skin Smoothing Pore Perfector (£26, bobbi brown.co.uk) BOBBI BROWN is better known for make-up, but every so often the brand produces gems that are top-notch skin solutions.
This is one of them. It was created specifically to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, which can be a problem if your skin is oily. It also uses kelp to reduce the size of pores.
BEST FOR DRY SKIN
YSL Touche eclat Blur Primer (£29.50, boots.com) PART of the fantastic Touche eclat range, this is incredibly soft, and, in my opinion, the silkiest primer around.
Initially, it feels like a gel, but once it is on your skin it’s like a very fine veil of silk that instantly disguises fine lines and any other skin imperfections.