I Tested 15,000 Beauty Products In 5 Years & Learned These 7 Crucial Lessons

I absolutely swear by micellar waters when it comes to cleansing. It’s partly because they’re easy and don’t require 10 different steps and, most importantly, don’t overload the skin. Nothing is more of an irritant for skin than using thick heavy cleansers that block your pores. These light-weight waters are great for all types of skin; I suffer with dry dehydrated skin (attractive, I know) and these are perfect at getting rid of all the impurities, thanks to the microscopic oil spheres. If you’re not already, I guarantee you’ll become addicted. My personal faves include:

Using more products doesn't always mean your skin will be better. I’ve met beautiful glowing women and men who have had everything from one step (a face wipe) to 10-steps in their morning and evening regimes. It’s about finding what works for you and addressing your areas of concern. When I’ve spoken to dermatologists in the past, they made a very good point in that you’re probably repeating a step twice or even three times without realising. For instance, you don’t always need to double cleanse every day, instead try cutting it back to three times a week. Also swap cleansing brushes for a good exfoliator — they can work just as well at removing dead skin cells. It's much better to streamline your skincare regime and invest in a couple of hero products such as:

• Hyaluronic acid — A godsend for anyone with dry dull skin, wanting more of a supple plump feel. My go-tos are: Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster and Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum.
• Retinols — Great for anyone with anti-ageing concerns but do your research, start low and build yourself up to high percentages — trust me!
• Sheet Masks — For an instant shot of hydration pop one of these on for 10 minutes and skin is more supple. Plus they’re great for travelling as skin becomes parched by flying. My hero: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair sheet mask, each pack holds over 20ml of the cult fave serum.

I promise, they’ll be your new beauty best friends and your secret new weapon. Whether you’re looking to set, prep, hydrate or give your make-up a new lease of life, facial mists can do it all. To get the best out of them, hold approximately 5cm away from your face and spritz between three to five times. Some come in handy purse sizes which are perfect for on the day touch ups or when travelling and in need of a hit of hydration. My top tip — pop in the fridge and thank me later.

If you’re already happy with your skin, then you may ask why you should get a facial? The truth is, consistent upkeep of your skin prevents future concerns i.e. breakouts, ageing or fine lines. It’s also a great excuse to give yourself a break and have an indulgent hour to yourself. One of the best facials I’ve ever had is the Sunday Riley Fire and Ice facial at Hershesons in London. The first (and only) signature facial from the brand worldwide. It starts off like any other normal facial with cleansing, extraction, toning and massaging, but then the cool bit (literally) is that it includes cryotherapy, which blasts freezing cold air around your face that helps reduce inflammation and remove redness. Then comes the fire aka the LED light which destroys any bacteria on the skin and prevents further breakouts and infection. For something a little more relaxing – book yourself in for a Smooth & Glow facial at Decleor. All facials have been curated by Nicholas Joss, the woman behind Meghan Markle’s perfect skin, so you know they’re going to be good.

Protecting your skin is important every day of the year. One of the biggest reasons many people forego SPF is because of the so called thick white textures and photography flash back. Confused? Let me explain. The SPF technology that protects you from the sun is built to reflect light. So, when a camera flash goes off directly in your face, the result (flashback) can make you look like you’ve dipped in a pot of baby powder. This is never a good look but, on the flipside, neither are sun-scorched cheeks. Dr Marko Lens, of skincare brand Zelens says: "You can avoid flashback by avoiding sunscreens containing physical (aka mineral) sunblocks, the most common being zinc oxide and titanium dioxide." As well as stopping you looking ghostly in your photos, these formulas won’t clog your pores or cause your make-up to slide off, making them ideal for every day.

If you’re loving the ‘no make-up, make-up look’ (who isn’t) then try using a little blusher to carve out your cheek bones instead of the usual heavy contour products. A gel blush is great for blending and adding a subtle sheen. Try warming the product up on your fingers so it melts onto skin when applying.

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