Skin Deep: Fresh Faced

I love fashion and all the theatrics that come with it during Fashion Week, and I always get inspired after seeing the flawless, airbrushed skin on the runway. In reality, makeup is only a part of flawless skin. Below are my eight steps to get you looking fabulous in the morning. As always, it’s important to let makeup enhance your looks and not bury them under products! Skincare and health are one and the same.

1. Stretch: Stretching, yoga and short cardio circuit training are excellent ways to keep your skin glowing. Circulation is important in keeping skin nourished, healthy and vibrant. Do a few minutes of stretching or yoga right after waking to get the blood moving in your whole body. It feels great, it’s good for your skin and it energizes you for the day.

2 Eat Well & Hydrate: Diet plays a huge role in how healthy your body and skin will be. Choose organic produce over conventional produce as much as possible to avoid ingesting pesticides that will burden your liver and potentially cause hormone imbalances – especially if you’re ingesting the skin. Choose grass-fed and, if possible, antibiotic-free meats and dairy.

In the morning, drink a glass or two of filtered water. Follow up with a juicy fruit such as a peach, pear or apple, or berries (avoid citrus if you’re prone to breakouts). If you have a blender or juicer, try making a green juice or green smoothie – carrot juice is amazing for skin. You will notice a huge difference in your skin after drinking carrot or green juices or smoothies – it’s a “secret weapon” to flawless, glowing skin.

Pressed for time? If you want to have a green juice, make it the night before and put a little freshly squeezed lemon juice to prevent it from oxidizing. You can also try a few other breakfast options, like a juicy fruit with oatmeal (not the instant oats) with a bit of cinnamon and raw honey.

3. Begin With Clean Skin: Rinse your face and neck with lukewarm water, or wash with a natural, gentle cleanser. If you’re going to be applying makeup, or if you feel like your skin needs a little pick-me-up, use a gentle scrub or invest in a cleansing brush. Remember that when washing your face and neck, use lukewarm (not hot) water, and finish with a few splashes of cool water. This helps enhance circulation and gives you a glow.

4. Moisturize: Use a quality moisturizer or light serum oil to hydrate your skin from the outside and protect it from the elements. If you don’t have any active breakouts, do a quick, light massage with your moisturizer to enhance absorption. I like to do a few sweeps down the sides of my face and neck and a light up-and-down massage on my forehead to encourage circulation. Do not do a massage if you have active acne breakouts, since this can aggravate blemishes.

5. Cover Wisely: You can always tell when someone has a face full of foundation, can’t you? Slathering on foundation and heavy powder won’t make you look flawless; it will only look flat and “cakey.” Instead, choose a cream, mousse or liquid tinted moisturizer or light foundation. Apply the foundation to the center of your face in areas that tend to get pink or blotchy, like around your mouth, chin, nose and sides of the nose. Blend out and blend well. This method will allow the natural hues and dewy appearance of your skin to show through.

6. Spot Treat: Use an opaque concealer to cover up small spots, like leftover acne marks or dark circles. A good technique for covering dark under eye circles is to use a concealer brush and blend in upward strokes. Do not load the brush with product – less is more.

7. Keep the Glow Going: While the first four steps will keep your skin healthy and glowing long-term, adding a little highlighter for extra oomph will help to bring out what’s already there. I like to use a little olive oil (literally only one or two drops) and gently rub it into my cheekbones and brow bones for a little extra glow if I’m going out. For those who want more “bang,” use a highlighter. For fair to pale skin, use a white- or pink-toned highlighter. For medium to dark skin, use an off-white or gold-toned highlighter. For oily skin, try a powder highlighter, and for dry skin, use a liquid or cream highlighter. Apply it to your cheekbones, brow bones, the inner corners of your eyes, the bridge of your nose, cupid’s bow and the middle of your chin (the crease of your chin, not in the cleft). Make sure you don’t highlight the tip of your nose or the center of your forehead, or you could end up looking greasy. Adding highlighter on your collarbone, the tops of your shoulders and down the center of your legs can add a little zip as well.

8. Finishing Touches: If you have oily skin, you may want to powder your T-zone with a light, natural finishing powder. Keep the powder to your T-zone and under your eyes, if you powder your entire face it won’t look natural or dewy. For dry skin, skip the powder entirely.

Digital Sponsors

Become a MyNewOrleans.com sponsor ...

Sign up for our FREE

New Orleans Magazine email newsletter

Get the the best in New Orleans dining, shopping, events and more delivered to your inbox.