Cheryl Gushue has been a makeup artist for 18 years and knows a thing or two about getting good skin. Gushue shared her easy steps to getting the dewy skin we all crave.
H2-Oh-so-important
Drinking plenty of water is vital for healthy, glowing skin. We need two litres of water a day to keep hydrated, and that amount will vary depending on the season and your level of activity, says Gushue. For example, we need more H20 in summer to offset all the water we lose in the sweaty heat.
Gushue drinks SmartWater in one litre sizes as a visual reminder to drink two bottles per day. But if you’re a tap water girl, it’s good to know how much water your favourite bottle holds so you can easily keep track of how much water you’re drinking.
Rub-a-scrub-scrub
There’s a reason your face feels so smooth after a good scrub. Exfoliating gets rid of dead skin cells that make skin feel rough and can clog pores. Everyone loves a silky face, but don’t scrub too hard, or you’ll end up with a sore face.
Everyone has different skin types, so if you are a more sensitive skin type you don’t want to use anything that is too heavy or too abrasive, said Gushue. Make sure the water you’re using to wash your face isn’t too hot as well, because hot water can dehydrate skin.
Gushue, who has sensitive skin herself, recommends a cleanser with exfoliating beads or crystals in it for ladies with tender skin. Ditch anything that feels rough or too harsh on your face, and try using a washcloth (that you use for your face only) with your usual cleanser if you can’t find a scrub you like.
Oily types need love (and moisture) too
Skin that rivals the BP oil slick can make anyone want to swear off moisturizer. But doing so will have the opposite effect: dehydrated skin just produces more oil to compensate for a lack of moisture. It could be as simple as changing moisturizers; products perfect for winter are usually too heavy for summer.
Even though your skin has oil in it, it still needs moisture, because oil and moisture are two different things, said Gushue. So use a moisturizer for the summer that’s different from your winter one.
Gushue also uses blotting papers when she’s doing makeup for TV shows to nix oil. It’s a better alternative to piling on powder, which can become cakey and clog pores.
Less is max
You don’t want to be sweating under layers of heavy foundation in the summer (or any season, really). Choosing light makeup for summer is essential, but you also want to avoid makeup you have to re-apply every time a bead of sweat rolls down your forehead. Gushue recommends a tinted moisturizer, bronzer, lip gloss and mascara for summer.
Just stick to the basics, whatever you can do in a five minute face is the max you need, said Gushue. Enhance your skin and features, you want to look at a person’s skin, not their makeup.
Some are born cool
Gushue is glad the 90s are over “ makeup-wise, at least. The 90s were all about browns and neutrals, but now we’re moving toward fresh pink and peach tones that liven up skin, said Gushue. Knowing the undertone of your skin helps when choosing makeup. Your skin can have either cool, warm or neutral (both) undertones, and that affects how certain shades will look on you.
Livening up your skin is about finding what your tones are, said Gushue. For instance, if I wear cool lipstick, I look like I’ve stayed in the pool too long.
A handy trick Gushue uses to find a skin’s undertone is to hold two pieces of fabric to your face, one pink, one peach.
Your skin either livens up and looks bright or looks dull, said Gushue. As soon as it’s the wrong colour your skin just looks sallow and it’s like it’s fighting against you.
