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The Beauty Insider: our glowy skin saviours

A swift season change can play havoc with even the calmest of complexions – which is why we’re seriously upping our beauty regime to make sure we keep glowing all the way through autumn (and beyond). So, this way for brighter, better skin…

Glow getters

Beauty solutions and exfoliators
Clarins – Double Serum / Kiehl’s – Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution / Paula’s Choice –Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant / Bobbi Brown – Skin Clarifier Pore & Oil Control

The problem-solving solutions

First on the agenda: scrubbing away dullness and getting unpredictable skin under control…

Wave bye-bye to dull skin with a daily go-to (and love-forever) exfoliator. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant does exactly what it says on the rather chic little bottle; it’ll perfect pores and smooth problem skin in a jiff.

Prone to dark spots and discolouration? No worries – follow up with Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution. Its “Activated C complex” (aka, a fancy way to describe a particularly effective Vitamin C derivative) fades out dark marks and blemishes like magic.

Next: dab on a few pumps of Clarins’ Double Serum for a nightly dose of post-exfoliation glowiness (its key ingredients are turmeric, which has top-notch anti-ageing properties, and avocado, which promotes skin regeneration overnight), followed by Bobbi Browns’ Skin Clarifier Pore & Oil Control. Contrary to popular belief, those with oily skin can use face oils – and this one’s perfect for spot-prone skin. Just a few drops post-cleansing – but before moisturising – will help to balance out pesky and unpredictable sebum levels. Sorted. 

The hydrating heroes

Right, time to get moisturising – we’ve got all you need (and more), right here…

When it comes to an everyday, no-nonsense approach to seriously good skin, Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair is a no-brainer (and a Selfridges bestseller for good reason). Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid, ANR (as we call it in beauty circles) hydrates skin overnight, leaving skin soft and glowy by morning.

For an extra, and – let’s face it – super-luxurious boost of skin protection during autumn, we’re picking up La Mer’s The Concentrate serum. It’s particularly great when the temperature drops, soothing irritated skin and calming redness. Speaking of luxe skincare – La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Liquid Lift (yep, containing real caviar) is a must if anti-ageing is your main concern. Apply night and day for a decadent dose of firmness and to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Once your serums and concentrates have sunk in, finish with a super-hydrating, cherry-on-top moisturising cream. We love Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream for a rich (but never oily) finish that’ll replenish dried-out skin.

Beauty hydrating concentrates and creams
La Prairie – Skin Caviar Liquid Lift / Estée Lauder – Advanced Night Repair / La Mer – The Concentrate / Kiehl’s – Ultra Facial Cream

The hydrating heroes

Right, time to get moisturising – we’ve got all you need (and more), right here…

When it comes to an everyday, no-nonsense approach to seriously good skin, Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair is a no-brainer (and a Selfridges bestseller for good reason). Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid, ANR (as we call it in beauty circles) hydrates skin overnight, leaving skin soft and glowy by morning.

For an extra, and – let’s face it – super-luxurious boost of skin protection during autumn, we’re picking up La Mer’s The Concentrate serum. It’s particularly great when the temperature drops, soothing irritated skin and calming redness. Speaking of luxe skincare – La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Liquid Lift (yep, containing real caviar) is a must if anti-ageing is your main concern. Apply night and day for a decadent dose of firmness and to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Once your serums and concentrates have sunk in, finish with a super-hydrating, cherry-on-top moisturising cream. We love Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream for a rich (but never oily) finish that’ll replenish dried-out skin.

Glass skin generating make-up
MAC – Extra Dimension Skinfinish / SUQQU – Extra Rich Glow Cream Foundation / Yves Saint Laurent – Touche Éclat Le Teinte Foundation / Bobbi Brown – Highlighting Powder

The “glass-skin” generators

And to finish: up the ante with our glowy make-up favourites

Now we’ve prepped our skin, time to go in with some complexion-boosting make-up. Dry skin types will love the SUQQU Extra Rich Glow Cream Foundation. This little foundation pot is intensely moisturising and looks fresh and dewy on the face, easily covering up redness or blemishes. (So pretty much the dream foundation, then…) Looking for a lighter touch? YSL’s Touche Éclat Le Teinte is the one to go for – it contains the same brightening complex as YSL’s bestselling Touche Éclat highlighter, so you know it’ll do the trick. This one’s easily buildable, should you need some extra coverage, and is bursting with light-refracting pigments that’ll give you a dewy, healthy-looking sheen.

Once applied, set your foundation with a light powder – MAC’s Extra Dimension Skinfinish will lock in your base without mattifying, thanks to its pearly finish. Last but definitely not least: activate “glass-skin” mode with a brilliant swipe of highlighter – Bobbi Brown’s Highlighting Powder in Pink Glow works like a charm. Sweep across the highest parts of the face (temples, cheekbones and the centre of the forehead) for the ultimate glow-up. 

Need more brilliant beauty? Here’s what you’re all loving…

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