I’m always in awe (and a little skeptical) of the models and actresses who claim to “wear no makeup” when they’re off-duty and still manage to look glowing and gorgeous. I don’t even have to worry about paparazzi shots, and you’ll still rarely catch me without at least a touch of concealer and a coat of mascara. And maybe a little eyeliner. Oh and brow gel and lipgloss. (What can I say? I was born a makeup lover.) This year I decided that the dog days of summer are the perfect opportunity to embrace a more barefaced approach and try out a no makeup look (yes, really), and I’m realizing that the secret to pulling it off is a serious commitment to achieving my very best complexion. I teamed up with luxurious skincare company AmorePacific to share my current skincare saviors, so click through to see what I’m loving. Their products are a splurge, but I’ve never experienced skincare that feels so luxe thanks to their antioxidant-packed ingredients like green tea and bamboo sap. I’d love to hear in the comments whether you guys go makeup free in the summer, and if so — what are your secrets to a natural glow?
*photos by katie jameson
1 – Skincare + superfoods
I’m a big believer that great skin is the result of both what we put on it and what we put in our bodies. Even the best products can’t fix skin that’s being fed a steady diet of sugar and gluten. The most beautifying foods in the world are antioxidant-rich leafy greens like kale, spinach, arugula, watercress and just about any lettuce. I like to start my day with a superdose by sipping on my favorite green smoothie.
2 – Consistency is key.
I’m a self-professed product junkie, so I’ve learned the hard way that skin does not appreciate it when you’re constantly switching up its routine. When you try out a new product, there’s always a bit of an adjustment period, and then your skin is able to settle into a healthy balance. I’ve been hooked on the “Time Response” collection from AmorePacific that combines cutting-edge technology with natural ingredients to combat signs of aging. When you find the the right mix of products that helps your skin look its best, stick with it and use them faithfully morning and night for the very best results. And I’ve learned to incorporate only one new product into my routine at a time so I can accurately gauge how my skin is reacting to it.
3 – Remove pore-clogging dirt and debris.
I used to think that as long as I washed my face with a good cleanser, my skin was clean. But have you ever followed up cleansing with a swipe of toner, then taken a look at the cotton pad? You’ll probably see traces of makeup, dirt, and oil that didn’t come off from cleansing alone. When I started using toner on a daily basis whenever I cleansed, I noticed a dramatic difference with fewer breakouts and less visible pores. And this one does double duty by using Asian botanicals to replenish the skin’s moisture barrier.
4 – Hydration is your friend.
A great moisturizer is what gives skin its glowing-from-the-inside-out look. I used to be afraid of moisturizer because I thought it would make me break-out, but I was finally convinced by a facialist that skimping on moisture actually causes skin to produce more pore-clogging sebum. Now that I’ve started hydrating with an intensive creme, I’m surprisingly much less oily and my skin looks more radiant and awake.
5 – The brows have it.
Nothing frames your face naturally – and adds a youthful look – better than healthy brows. Use a brow serum that encourages growth, and if you really want to go for it, try out microblading like I did earlier this year.
6 – Nourish skin from the inside out.
If you want to skip the foundation, you’ve got to start with a clean diet that encourages radiant skin. There are a lot of great books out there on eating for beauty (I love this one and this one), and the biggest nutrition tips I’ve taken away are:
Eat in abundance:
- colorful veggies: chock-full of antioxidants that fight free radicals and environmental damage that break down collagen.
- healthy fats: avocados, salmon, and walnuts are skin strengthening and collagen-boosting.
- berries: a great source of vitamin C that boosts collagen production — helping keep skin smooth and firm.
Limit:
- sugar: low-glycemic diets have been show to benefit acne-prone skin.
- alcohol: Sorry to be the one to break it to you, but it’s basically liquid sugar.
- dairy: hormone levels in milk from the US have been shown to increase sebum production which promotes acne.
7 – Don’t skimp on SPF.
Like many of you, I spent the first 20 years of my life trying to soak up as much sun as possible, and now I’m trying to undo the damage and pray that taking good care of my skin now will protect me from too many premature signs of aging. Just this year I’m starting to see the first sun spots, and it’s been great motivation to load up on the SPF as part of my skincare routine every day. This Color Control Cushion Compact boasts broad spectrum SPF 50 (and just a little color to help skin look naturally flawless.) And since I still love to look like I spent the day in the sun, I mix a few drops of this glow booster into my moisturizer.
8 – Pump up lips.
This clear gloss is infused with peptides that make lips look naturally full and gorgeous, plus add hydration. And remember, nothing looks better than a bright white smile, so taking care of those pearly whites is key to barefaced beauty!
I’d love to hear in the comments: do you guys skip makeup in the summertime? What are your secrets to looking good and feeling confident with bare skin?
