How to hydrate and replenish sensitive dry Winter Skin

Different Season - Different Skin CareAs the seasons change our skin has develops different needs as well and most of us have to adjust our skin care. My own skin has become dry in areas as the temperatures dropped recently and I also had some redness and sensitivity. I have just received an email from one of my lovely clients asking me about a good skin care routine, product tips and facial recommendations for her dry/sensitive and dehydrated skin that also shows redness on the cheeks. She works in an air conditioned office and prefers natural skincare. In the lead up to her wedding day she wants her skin to be best. Don't we all? I got a little carried away with my response, spending about one hour to write recommendations and tips for her, so I thought I might as well share this with all of you, as we can all do with a little TLC for our Winter skins.

The Gentle Cleanse If you are still using a foaming cleanser now is the time to ditch it, it most likely will strip the skin of it's moisture and natural oils that it needs to stay healthy and hydrated. Go for a super gentle cream-, balm-, or milk cleanser and use it to double cleanse. You can use these with your Clearisonic as well. The Calming Cream Cleanser by Z'kin is excellent for sensitive Skin. La Mav Hydra Calm Cleansing Crème formulated with Bio-Flavonoids, Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter to moisturize and cleanse the skin which will reveal a clear, bright, smooth feeling skin. I also love the SMOOTH Cleanser from Miskinorganics and another current favourite is Bloom Glow&Polish a unique cleansing paste that you freshly mix prior to application all these are replenishing the skin while removing makeup and cleansing away impurities.

The Key: Moisturize! Find a nourishing moisturizer that protects the skin from further moisture loss. Use 2x a day or use a different day and night cream if you prefer. If my skin is red, reactive and very sensitive it's in need for instant calming action my go to products are Zk'in Relief Moisturizer and Triology Very Gentle Calming Serum, the names say it all! For dry skin I recommend a very rich balmy moisturizer at night, and even apply it as mask in a thick layer when watching a movie or reading at home. Air conditioning and dry air from heaters is really bad for already dry skin, so please make sure you apply a lovely rich moisturizer and/or foundation as barrier to protect the skin. Trilogy Rosapene™ Night Cream works a treat as replenishing mask. Loaded with Antioxidants in a unique oil blend, manuka honey and Goji this will restore your skin quickly. You can also try incooperate pure organic Oils like Rosehip oil into your routine: Try nutrient rich oils like Rosehip. The trick to using oils effectively is to mix them with water. They absorb so much better this way. Mix equal parts oil and water in your hands, and rub together vigorously before massaging the mixture onto your face. I like to spritz my face with a hydtrating spray before applying oils. Use alone, or layered under your usual moisturizer. Everyone is talking about Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, believe the hype! It's pure skincare at it's best.

Hydration: The Spritz! Hydrating sprays can be very beneficial to have handy on your desk, together with some handcream & lipbalm, especially if you are working in an air conditioned office. Jane Iredale makes my favourite ones, certified organic filled with lovely armomatherapy oils they are the ultimate luxury and the bottles are super pretty too.

Keep Young! To target and prevent fine lines it's a good idea to have a powerful anti ageing eyecream as part of your regime. My favourites are; Tata Harper Restorative Eye Cream, Z'kin Line Smoothing Serum, La Mav Bio A7 Firming Eye Lotion

Shake it off! Keep exfoliating. You can find my guide on exfoliation here. Incoporate healthy fats in your diet like avocado and flaxseed oil, coconut oil and nuts and of course make sure you drink enough water. If you are feeling less thirsty in the colder season try herbal teas and spicy chais (without black tea) which will warm you up, increase circulation and help you to stay hydrated. I hope this helps! Feel free to post any questions or your personal tips and experience in the comments below. :)

The Six Week Bridal Beauty Prep PART TWO Cleansing & Exfoliating

You have still six weeks to go and I hope you enjoyed part one, on how to get your Body glowing. Let's focus on the delicate skin of your face next. Without question, everyone can benefit from regular exfoliation by using products with AHA (alpha hydroxy acid such as glycolic and lactic acids) or BHA (beta hydroxy acid, also known as salicylic acid). Each provides multiple benefits, including fighting signs of aging and breakouts! Stick to products free of unneccessary synthetic fragrance and always ready the label!

GET THAT GLOW! Yay for AHA & BHA

Exfoliate once a week with a gentle AHA and/or BHA peel. This is my personal routine, some people prefer to use a mild exfoliation daily or every other day, everyone is different. My skin looks best when I exfoliate 1-2 times a week. There are pads, gels, masks and cremes containing fruit enzymes, glycolic, lactic or mandelic acids, some products use a combination of different AHA' s. AHAs are preferred for sun-damaged and dry skin because they exfoliate on the surface of skin and have the added benefit of also improving moisture content. If you are prone to break outs use a BHA product that contains Salicylic Acid. BHA is preferred for oily, acne-prone skin and for treating blackheads and white bumps because BHA can get through the oil that's clogging your pores, normalizing the lining of the misshapen pore that contributes to acne.BHA has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action. Those are two more reasons to use a BHA exfoliant if you have acne or sensitive, reddened skin. Both AHA and BHA work to reduce fine lines, stimulate collagen, and firm the skin. There is no need to to physically rub and scrub and your skin when using these products, they work by gently loosing up the "glue" in between the dead skin cells, so that the old skin can come off without any damage to your skin. You will be left with a radiant glow. One of my favourite ever exfoliating masks is by Tata Harper, it gives instant radiance and is very gentle. It smells heavenly and the jelly texture is so fun. I had the chance to meet the wonderful Tata in person in London and have been a fan of her products since. The resurfacing mask is available in Australia via Lulu&Lipstick, an awesome selection of beauty products from around the world that are hard to get in Australia.

NAY to scrubs Many scrubs have a rough and uneven texture that can cause skin damage by tearing into the skin, causing tiny tears that damage the skin's barrier. Scrubs often cause more problems than they could possibly solve. If you do want to use a manual scrub, you can simply use a gentle washcloth with your daily cleanser, which works just as well to exfoliate the surface of skin as any cosmetic scrub you can buy. As a bonus, washcloths are softer (thus gentler) and of course they don't contain pore-clogging ingredients that oily, acne-prone skin doesn't need. With all types of exfoliation comes sun sensitivity, mainly because there are fewer layers of cells as protection so be mindful of using your sunscreen and staying out of the sun while it’s at its strongest. For daily cleansing I recommend a very gentle cleansing milk, oil or balm that doesn't strip the skin. If you are a fan of natural cosmetics or got very sensitive skin, try using pure organic coconut oil as makeup remover. Another gentle and fabulous option to clean your skin is the Clearisonic. Use the sensitive skin brush heads, they are the best choice from my experience. I have the "Mia" which is a travel friendly version and I looooove it. If you prefer a foaming wash for your face make sure you will buy one without any harsh detergents like SLS or synthetic fragrances. For makeup junkies and daily foundation wearers I recommend a double cleanse: Step 1: Removing Makeup with an oil based cleanser. Step 2: Cleanser appropriate for your skin type

Do you need professional help? Trust your own judgement. Does your skin respond well to your home treatments and is clear and soft most of the time? Well then keep doing whatever you are doing and invest in good products for your home routine. Once you turn 30, it is wise to get a professional peel or microdermabrasion (if your skin is not sensitive and thick) treatment every other month to encourage cell turnover and keep your complexion clean, bright and youthful. With all acids, my recommendation is to make sure you stay under a 25% concentration. Over the counter products will always be 10% or lower, however if you get a professional facial, request a percentage that is no higher than 25%. This way you are ensuring a good result without too much irritation. Stay away from strong, medical peels that reach the dermis, which is the living part of your skin underneath the epidermis. In my opinion, those types of treatments are too invasive and do more bad than good by causing intense edema [inflammation] of the dermis, which ultimately ages your skin.

Other things to do 6 weeks out: If you haven't already done it, this is a good time frame for your hair & makeup trial with your makeup artist and hairstylist for the wedding day. Schedule in other beauty appointments like your regular cut & color, eyebrow appointments etc. Get your beauty sleep, eat well, worry less, move more. Be Happy :)

Happy Earth Day! The best fragrance free mineral primers

Happy Earth Day, everyone! Isn't this planet truly amazing? I love watching nature & animal documentaries to unwind or simply go for a walk by the beach or in the bush. I always find this very humbling, and grounding. As if they remind me that I am just a tiny little being in this huge universe. And sometimes that is very important to remember. I wish to see a lot more of this wonderful planet and really hope that we will preserve nature for generations to come. Living in Sydney, I feel I am surrounded by so much wildlife, the ocean and amazing exotic landscapes everywhere. Sometimes I just need to step outside and take it all in. In real life.

I think all women with half a brain know that today beauty products don't have to cost the earth to be effective. And if you don't believe me, do your own research :) I personally feel they will long term always give the better results. I aspire to be a green makeup artist using only the best luxury and natural products. I am always out discover the latest and best beauty products from around the world and share my experiences with you. Please note that the below primers all DO contain silcone and are therefore not entirely clean or 100% natural.

I want to sing the praises of some great primers in the natural/green/organic category. All of these are free of synthetic fragrance, crueltyfree, vegan, and paraben free as well as packed with essential nutrients and the most luxurious botanical ingredients. I hope you enjoy and give these goodies a go!

Youngblood Mineral Primer The overall best makeup primer I have ever used. This one is suitable for all skin types. It's does everything I could ever ask for. Minimizes the appearance of pores, smooths fine lines, controls that oily t-zone while still being nourishing and really helps any foundation to stay in place for longer! Pro tip: It works as magical makeup eraser when you apply one drop to a cotton bud: You can correct eyeliner shapes or error without disturbing the makeup! Magic! It's also filled with vitamins and natural goodness, and leaves out synthetic fragrances and nasty ingredients. Win win! Jane Iredale Smooth Affair A luxurious makeup base, great for dehydrated or dry or mature skins. It gives that extra glow and smells divine. I use it underneath my Glow Time BB Creme, whenever I feel I need a little extra moisture. Perfect for Glow during Summer!

Hourglass No28 Primer Serum This one is quite different to any other primer I have used. It is extremely rich and oily. So please don't try to use this in tropical summer weather or on very oily skin. This can still be a good product for oily skins, but I guess you are better of with a mattifying product. It is perfect for extremely and I repeat extremely dry skin, as well for harsh Winter months, when the skin can't keep up it's natural oil production. It's also great for dry mature skin as it's made from a cocktail of potent anti ageing ingredients and therefore really deserves the last name Serum. My pro tip: You can also use it on cheeks and brows for an glossy, dewy look as seen on current fashion weeks.

Hourglass Veil Primer: Quite the opposite of the above, this primer is perfect for humid hot days and/or oily skin. It makes any foundation that is used on top of this water resistant. Perfect for teary brides! As it has a milky white appearance, it can make very tanned or dark skins appear ashy. This can be counter acted with the correct makeup, but if you are after a bronzed look or have naturally dark skin, you might want to try out a sample before you purchase. While it completely absorbs really nicely and is super lightweight it only works for fair to medium skin tones. Which is clearly a bummer. I still find it a remarkable product, even if my very own skin get's to dark in Summer to use this. It's also perfect for anyone with redness that wants to even out their skin tone.

While Hourglass products are free of synthetic fragrances, cruelty free and free of many nasty ingredients, they do not claim to be a 100% natural, green or organic brand, please see ingredients for yourself and decide if these products are for you.

The Six Week Bridal Beauty Prep PART ONE

photo by Liv

Real beauty comes from within. Your skin says everything about the kind of lifestyle you lead and most skin problems originate internally – the body is one whole integrated system so what’s going on inside our bodies will show up on our skin as well. That feeling of inner health shows up externally on our face and skin more than the best facial ever could. All parts of your bridal beauty prep program from nutrition & exercising to meditation are therefore having a huge impact on your skin. Further here are some beauty, tips and tricks that will ensure your skin and hair will be in best condition and excelling natural radiance. Now read on and get that glow!

The earlier you start to create a holistic fitness, nutrition and beauty regime the better. Besides the 6 week week beauty plan I will go through more general beauty prep, tools, products and techniques and expert Interviews. I always try to stay on top of the latest products and ingredients and hope to share some insider tips with you, while I prepare myself for my own wedding day.

6 Weeks to go: Exfoliate & Detoxify

BODY BEAUTY PREP

Now it's time to start your regular exfoliating regime. It's super easy to get your body glowing. Try daily Dry Brushing: All you need is a natural bristle brush and a body oil. Why? I have listed some amazing facts below:

Benefits: Removes dead layers of skin and other outer impurities. Stimulates and increases blood circulation. Helps release fatty deposits under your skin’s surface. Assists the eliminative capacity of your body’s organs. Rejuvenates your cells. Strengthens your immune system. Increases muscle tone. Improves skin texture. Helps prevent premature ageing.

How? Read my Step-by-step guide to dry skin brushing: 1. It’s best to dry brush first thing in the morning before you shower. I do it after my morning run or yoga session. Start with light pressure until you’re used to the sensation, then move on to firmer strokes. 2. Use a natural bristled brush. Avoid synthetic or nylon brushes or gloves as they’re too sharp and can damage the skin. 3. Start with the soles of your feet, use swift upward strokes and brush from the feet, up the legs, working towards your heart. 4. Once you’ve covered your lower body, move to your hands and work up your arms toward your heart in the same manner. 5. Next , brush your back (that's why it's good to get a long handle brush). 6. Last, work on your abdomen (moving in a clockwise direction to follow the movement of the colon), chest and neck. It’s best to avoid your face as most people’s facial skin is too sensitive. 7. Brush for about three-to-five minutes until your skin is rosy and slightly tingly. 8. Always shower after you dry brush to wash off the dead skin. 9. Immediately apply natural body oil onto the wet skin afterwards. You can use a luxurious blend of Oils or simply use organic unrefined Coconut Oil. Read here how to choose the right one.

And last but not least just a few little precautions: Avoid on sensitive skin, varicose veins, open wounds, inflamed skin or painful rashes, sunburnt areas, breasts and other sensitive areas. Seek doctor’s advice before brushing if pregnant or if severely/chronically ill. Stop brushing if an allergic reaction appears.

If you want to really enhance that new glowing body, and your wedding dress is showing some skin, try a light shimmer lotion on your wedding day to highlight your collarbones and shoulders or legs. I recently fell in love with the Youngblood Mineral Illuminating Body Tint, which I have used on beauty editorials. It's an all mineral and natural product, really fabulous!

Enjoy and keep it up! Keep posted for part 2, which will tell you all about exfoliating the face. :)

The Ultimate Bridal Beauty Prep Series: Coming Soon!

As you might know, Liv&Dave are getting married! Yes, that's us! It's been a lot of fun working out the wedding details, and also just enjoying this special time. The wedding planning is in full swing and while I am swamped with work I am set on the idea to write and share a personal bridal beauty guide for you, giving pro advice from my experience as bridal beauty expert (which I have been lately called a lot) as well as my personal experience in how I prepare my body & mind for the big day. Wish me luck ;)

I am personally quite low maintenance, which you might not expect from a makeup artist and beauty blogger, but don't forget that in the end of the day we all only have 24 in a day and I am working long irregular hours, so I prefer to keep my own routine as simple as possible. Yet I do want my skin and hair to look their best and also be in an overall good shape for our wedding, like any other bride.

I am working on a series of posts about tips & tricks, favourite products and techniques, as well as holistic beauty approaches. Expect regular updates, blog-posts and Instagram posts on these topics! I am happy to hear from you about any comments and questions that you might have and would love this to become a dialogue, if you are up for it! Otherwise just read & learn, I hope you enjoy. And quite obviously this is not just for brides to be, but all Ladies that want to up their beauty game.

To start off here are my Top Five Tips For Glowing Wedding Makeup:

1. Good skin care and skin prep are key, it's best to start a good regime months before your wedding day: Regular exfoliation, a gentle good quality cleanser and a nourishing & balancing moisturiser are a must.

2. Less is more, only use foundation and concealer where needed, be selective and keep it fresh and natural.

3. Secret technique for extra glow: Massage your face with your hands to enhance circulation and radiance and stimulate lymph flow prior to makeup application.

4. Apply a liquid highlighter onto your cheek bones prior to your foundation.

5. Use a soft buffing brush for the perfect invisible makeup application to work a small amount of foundation into the skin. Photo credit: Photography: Lara Hotz Photography Stylist: Stefanie Ingram Floral Styling: Jardine Botanic Floral Styling Hair and Make up: Liv Lundelius Makeup Artist Model: The Agency Models