Does anti-ageing skincare seems too expensive, time consuming and way too much like hard work?
These tricks will knock years off in a flash. Honestly. Words: Sarah Brooks-Wilson Holding image: Debbie Tan photographed by Julie Adams
Get a fringe
Fringes are youthful, cute and are easily the most effective alternative to Botox on forehead lines. Ten minutes at the hairdressers and they are hidden from view. But, a word of warning never cut one yourself. You may think it’s an easy thing to do, but it’s not, and always ends in disaster and most likely wonky. Ask your hairdresser for advice on what type to get for your face shape. If you have thick hair and a round face, a big bowl fringe won’t do you any favours, so wisp it up instead. And, when you do get one, keep styling products to the minimum to prevent your fringe from getting greasy. Dry shampoo will be your new best friend. Try Cedel Retro Dry Shampoo.
Use an exfoliating mask
Good exfoliating masks usually work in just a couple of minutes to rid the skin of dead surface cells that make it look older and more tired. Stroke a smooth creamy exfoliating mask over a dry face. Wait for the allocated time (usually between one and five minutes) and loosen the mask with water. Remove what remains with a wrung out warm face cloth. Follow with something moisturising like an oil or cream. Try Bobbi Brown Radiance Boost Exfoliating Mask.
Canna Campbell from Sass Financial and Sugar Mamma TV going for a walk with her son. Photographed by Grace Alyssa Kyo
Exercise
Even just a walk in the open air gets the circulation going and makes dull skin look more awake and vibrant. Let’s face it; everyone looks better after gentle outdoor exercise and something that can’t be faked. Colour in your cheeks anyone? So get moving, your skin will thank you for it.
Apply body makeup
Yes, really. You don’t have to tolerate the visible veins, cellulite, stretch marks and uneven tone associated with ageing skin on your limbs. Body makeup and wash off tans are now brilliantly easy, blend well and don’t transfer onto your clothes. Even easier are gradual-tanning body lotions you just slather on after showering to conceal a multitude of minor imperfections. Try St Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body.
Pinch your cheeks
A trick as old as time and one that works. Pinching your cheeks lightly gets good blood flowing to the face, restoring a little glow and giving the skin a youthful looking flush. Just grab little bits of skin with your fingertips on the fullest part of your cheeks and watch the blood rush. A face savior if you’ve walked out the door without blush.
Curl your lashes
Curling your lashes will instantly make your eyes appear uplifted and more awake. Buy a decent set of curlers; spending over $10 makes quite a big difference to quality. Looking down into a mirror, clamp on the curlers and ensure you haven’t pinched any skin, before gently pressing the plates together. Apply mascara. It’s as easy as that. We love the Tweezerman Deluxe Eyelash Curler.
This is exactly what I needed to read this morning! With work and my toddler I feel like I have aged 10 years and I want to feel like my former (youthful) self again! I will definitely be heading to pick up the St Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body at lunch and will pull that eyelash curler out of the cupboard. I’ve been thinking of cutting a fringe for so long, but, for the past few years (primarily since 20 month old Josh was born but also beforehand), I’ve lost all of the hair that used to frame my face… Read more »
Hi Marisha,
So do I!! I look at photos of myself before kids and look so much younger! I find a little fake tan always helps me to look fresher. And am also going to try the eye lash curler! 🙂 xx