w&h Beauty editor, Martinique Stevens, shares a few nifty tricks and some expert advice on how to perk up a dull complexion in a jiffy as we enter into the first months of a brand new year.
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Beauty Boost
“Wrap some ice in a face cloth and gently roll over the face to de-puff, cool and stimulate blood flow, bringing a healthy glow back to your face,” says A-list facialist, Sarah Chapman. “A few minutes’ worth of facial massage also works a treat,” she says, “so hold your hands in loose fists and gently rub them over your face, from the centre out.”
Line Eraser
Swap your usual serum for one that’s loaded with a well-renowned skin-smoother and plumping agent, retinol. The new Lamelle Correctives RA 3.0, R780 for 30ml is a pricey but super-fast-acting remedy for fine lines and wrinkles; it contains a potent 3% retinol and super hydrating squalene. Or, if you’re looking for something a little easier on the pocket but just as effective this side of the year, try one of our faves: the all new Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules, R565 for a months supply of dinky, single dose capsules, which plump, tighten and seriously smooth all signs of lines of wrinkles.
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Beauty Flash
The best way to give skin a quick boost and healthy-looking, radiance boost is to sweep a collagen-rich cream all over clean skin. Better yet, go for a cream or serum that features our favourite skin-hydrator, hyaluronic acid. Try it with new Eucerin Anti-Age Hyaluron-Filler Night Cream, R389,99 for 50ml, or Avene Physiolift Smoothing, Regenerating Night Balm, R460 for 30ml.
Pack a Peel
Refresh all remnants of dull skin with Dermalogica Rapid Reveal Peel kit, R1 495 for 10 tubes. There’s nothing we don’t love about this super easy-to-use, at home peel kit! Each 30ml tube is packed with a cell renewing blend of phytoactive alpha hydroxy fruit acids, plus smoothing lactic acids to significantly reduce signs of redness, remove blackheads and brighten up your skin’s texture.
Use one tube once a week in the evening to kick-start the journey to your healthiest skin yet.
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Heat Treat
“To quickly rid yourself of that tired look, I always recommend heat,” says Noella Gabriel, Elemis Director of Product and Treatment Development. “Warm your hands, place your face into your palms, then use this warmth to massage in your favourite facial oil. The combination of heat and oil will soften the skin and your expression, so you’ll instantly look more youthful.” For top-to-toe use, we recommend Elemis Japanese Camelia Oil Blend, R768 for 100ml.
Golden Touch
We love this Mud Spark Skin Illuminator Compact, R399. It’s an amazing last-minute highlighter, perfect to sweep over the high points of your face, collar bone and shoulders to give your post-vacay tan a boost.
