Since medieval times health signalling beauty regimes have been in place, from rouging cheeks to look fertile, to layering bases to appear disease-free. As we head into the festive season, health signalling beauty and wellness regimes are back on trend and bigger than ever. Acclaimed make-up artist Ruby Hammer shares her feel-good beauty favourites.
Ruby Hammer on skin saviours
Many of us struggle with dull, dry skin in the winter months, caused by a combination of cold air and indoor heat, says acclaimed make-up artist Ruby Hammer. Challenge the seasonal changes by adapting your skincare routine to beat a lacklustre complexion.
Stay hydrated! Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Dehydration may seem like a short-term problem, but it can have lasting negative effects on your skin.
Cleanse thoroughly every day. Rob Calcraft (co-founder of Ren Clean Skincare) is combining skincare and microbiome* science to improve the health of skin as well as its appearance with his new brand Cultured Biome. The Cleansing Balm is formulated to respect the skin barrier, with gentle yet effective cleansing that removes makeup (including glitter) and pollution whilst leaving the skin feeling hydrated and looking radiant.
*The skin microbiome, sometimes called the skin flora, is the term for the trillion of bugs that live on our skin. It helps protect our body and skin aesthetics.
Restore moisture with Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum is a nutrient-rich luxurious face oil. Loved by makeup artists globally, the results are visible from the very first use. Gently warm the oil in your hand and push/press into the skin for a nourished natural glow.
Soothe stressed-out skin with LED, clinically proven to increase the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid – three of the elements required for a healthy, bright and radiant complexion.
The Light Salon Boost LED Face Mask uses optimised LED wavelengths to increase blood circulation, relax muscles and create a feeling of blissful calm, boosting your mood as well as your skin.
Clever cosmetics
For those times when you are feeling less than one hundred per cent, create the illusion of instant wellness, says Ruby Hammer. Radiance boosting blushers, flawless finish foundations and lengthening mascara will have you looking bright-eyed in seconds.
The unlikely hero of your makeup regime, strategically placed blush is the most effective way to achieve a ‘lit from within’ healthy glow. For a natural-looking flush, you cannot beat cream and gel formulations that melt into your skin.
Daniel Sandler, ‘The Patron Saint of Blush’, adopts the cheeks first approach, making your features instantly look more alive and giving you a natural ‘less is more’ finish. Enriched with Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid, Daniel Sandler Water Colour Gel Cheek Colour is lightweight and buildable. Apply to the apples of your cheeks and work upwards towards the outer corner of your eyes for a flattering light sheen.
Foundations have come a long way in recent years, delivering skin-perfecting properties which blur imperfections rather than mask them. Dot a small amount of foundation where needed and, working from the centre outwards, buff into the skin.
Forget false lashes and opt for a more natural approach. Future Lash Mascara by Victoria Beckham Beauty lengthens, lifts and provides ingredients rich in haircare benefits for longer, stronger lashes with continued use.
White teeth have long been associated with a healthy smile and when teeth are clean and bright, we smile more, encouraging others to smile along with us. Brush your teeth twice a day with Colgate Max White Ultimate Renewal Whitening Toothpaste for an enzyme boosted clean that promises to reverse up to 15 years of discolouration.
