This may sound surprising to you, but in 90% of cases when I make a TV appearance or take part in press shoot, hair and makeup is not provided. That means this girl is left to her own devices when it comes to getting camera ready. There is a bit of a regime that I have developed for when I am seeking picture perfect skin, and it all starts with the intense care for my skin itself, not just the makeup. While there are quite a few steps involved, this regime is actually something I try to follow on a regular basis, although opting for lighter makeup coverage for regular day-to-day wear. As a bit of a skincare freak, I wanted to share some of my favourite products, and how and why I use them. To finish off the first ever #GCbeautyweek, here are my 10 steps to picture perfect skin:

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Step 1: Night Cleansing

For any major shoot, my skin prep always starts the night before. It is so important to clean and hydrant your skin before you go to bed. Even when I’m utterly exhausted and think “Whatever, I’ve hardly got any makeup on, I just want to go to bed!” I always force myself to cleanse my skin. Even if you don’t wear much makeup, you have to think about all of the city grime that’s just sitting on your face after long day — I mean, imagine if you went through the entire day without washing your hands! I love using Dermalogica’s Precleanse to remove everything off of my face before I wash it. It might sound weird to use an oil to clean your face, but, if it’s a must try if you haven’t before! It really is one of the best skin-friendly ways to remove your makeup. Next I cleanse with a gentle hydrating cleanser like Skoah’s Gel Kleanser. This is one of my favourite brands to use because it is all natural, and boy friendly. In fact, I think my boyfriend likes their products even more than I do! The natural ingredients make it gentle enough for both of us, and the refreshing cucumber scent is something we both like.

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Step 2: More Cleaning

Even after using a preclease and a cleanser, I’ve discovered that it’s important to clean even more! Why? Because once I started using Arbonne’s Intelligence Genius Nightly Resurfacing Pads, I could blatantly see the last bits of makeup and dirt on the pad. I am literally obsessed with these pads for getting my skin squeaky clean and to a state where it looks like it glows. After this I apply one small pump of my new favourite nighttime serum, which is SkinCeuticals’ Reservatol B E. This antioxidant night concentrate boost’s skins internal antioxidant defence system to help repair, and prevent accumulated damage.

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Step 3:  The Night Mask

Ah, the nighttime mask, probably one of my favourite things in the world! There are two I rely on in particular: SkinCeuticals’ Hydrating B5 Masque and Vichy’s Aqualia Thermal Night Spa. Obviously I don’t use the two together, but I do like to switch between them so that my skin doesn’t get used to using the same thing over and over. These are both great because they are extremely hydrating and literally rejuvenate your skin overnight. Best of all, they go on clear so you won’t frighten your significant other in the middle of the night, and you can leave them on while you sleep. My skin always looks supply and fresh, like I’ve just had a facial, after using these masks. Since my lips get really dry regularly, I like to give them a little mask too with Fresh’s Sugar Lip Serum Advanced Therapy before bed.

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Step 4: Morning Cleanse

Although clear, you’ll still feel those masks on your face in the morning, so I use a small amount of cleanser (such as Dermalogica’s Special Cleansing Gel) and the new gentle Clarisonic Mia2 to last night’s work and start the day fresh.

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Step 5: Exfoliate

This step really depends on how my skin is feeling. Sometimes I skip it altogether, but if I can feel that it needs a good exfoliation I either use Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant or SkinCeuticals’ Micro-Exfoliating Scrub. Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant is one of their star products and it really is gentle enough for daily use. This is what I use if I want a lighter exfoliation. I turn to SkinCeuticals’ Micro-Exfoliating Scrub if I feel like I need something more intense for a deeper exfoliation.

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Step 6: Hydrate

With all of that cleansing it’s really important to hydrate before moving on to moisturizing. I love Dermalogica’s Antioxidant Hydramist, followed by their Skin Hydrating Booster. Both of these products of been recommended to me endlessly by skin therapists to help with my skin which gets dry and dehydrated easily. At this point you might be wondering why I’m recommending Dermalogica so much and it’s not just because I’m one of their #LitteGreyPass brand ambassadors, I truly truly love their products and think they are some of the best you can buy.

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Step 7: Moisturize

There are two daily moisturizers that I’m rather obsessed with right now and I switch between the two of them from day-to-day. They are Dermalogica’s Intensive Moisture Balance (another one recommended to me by my #LittleGreyPass skin therapists) and Fresh’s Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream with Super 7 Complex which feels and smells amazing. Both are really nice and light, not oily and great for if your skin tends to be on the dry side, like mine. To take care of my lips too, I use Fresh’s amazing Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Therapy treatment for an intensely hydrating lip balm to start the day.

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Step 8: Protect & Prime

Since my favourite foundation doesn’t have SPF protection, I like to put on a good sunscreen before applying makeup. One of my favourites to use regularly is La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Dry-Touch Spray 45. Following this, in prep for makeup, I apply Make Up For Ever’s HD Microperfecting HD. Primers are great for getting a super smooth application of your foundation, and helps it last longer too.

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Step 9: Cover Up

I’m so thankful to Patty at Ritual on King West for introducing me to Make Up For Ever’s HD Invisible Cover Foundation because I LOVE this foundation, and I’m really not one for foundations. Just a drop of this one goes a long way and it’s so easy to apply that I often just use my fingers. The high definition is especially great for shoots and events, basically anytime I know I’ll be in front of the camera. Since I often have dark circles under my eyes from a lack of sleep, I like to double up on my problem areas with Clarins’ Instant Light Brush-On Perfector which is also great for targeting blemishes and zits. Last I cover my lips with Elizabeth Arden’s Lip Fix Cream to help keep my lipstick in place and stop it from ending up spread across my face.

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Step 10: Powder

Last but not least it’s time to powder! I love the dewy you glow you get from a fresh application of foundation, but, when used lightly, a good powder can help set your makeup, and keep your oily zones under control. It is really important to always have a powder on hand when you’re in front of the camera since bright lights and long hours can get your face looking real shiny even if you aren’t prone to oily skin. I love using Rimmel London’s Long Lasting Pressed Powder around my t-zone, and Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Colour with SPF 15 for a nice, light glow around my face.

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So there it is, my 10 steps to picture perfect skin! Whether you use these tips for your own photoshoots or take some for your own skincare regime, I hope they help you discover some of your new favourite products and get closer to achieving the healthy and beautiful skin that you deserve!

Have questions about these steps or products? Any products you love that you’d like to add? Leave a comment and let me know!

xo

@graciecarroll

#GCbeautyweek

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