Elsa McAlonan’s Beauty Upgrades: How to keep your skin glowing

Elsa McAlonan’s Beauty Upgrades: How to keep your skin glowing

  • Elsa McAlonan reveals a selection of the best products to keep our skin glowing
  • She also shares the product Alesha Dizon uses to keep her hair in great condition
  • The British beauty expert also rounds up the best rose waters to use at every age 

WHAT’S NOW & HOW TO DO IT: GLOW GETTERS

British beauty expert Elsa McAlonan says the end of August does not mean we need to say goodbye to our glowing skin

It may be the last day of August, but that doesn’t mean we have to say goodbye to glowing skin.

Whatever the weather, highlighter can take us seamlessly from summer to autumn, adding a lit-from-within radiance and warm glow to faces and bodies.

Creamy formulas, such as the Bali Body Highlighter Stick, are kinder to mature skin.

Easy to apply, it comes in three shades, blends well and dries quickly.

balibodyco.com 

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Or try Kevyn Aucoin’s Glass Glow Liquid Illuminator (below middle, £26, spacenk.com) — use along the collarbone, on the fronts of legs, or on shoulders or arms for a healthy glow

spacenk.com 

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If you prefer a powder formula, the new RMS Beauty Living Glow Face and Body Powder has been created to flatter every skin tone.

contentbeautywellbeing.com 

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CLICK THIS TODAY! 

Wondering if you’ll suit this season’s eyeliner flick trend, or want to play around with your look?

On Collection Cosmetics’ relaunched website you can try out make-up styles virtually, including the budget-friendly Fast Stroke Eyeliner.

With testers still off-limits, this online tool is especially helpful if you want to experiment with a bold new lip colour or warmer shade of blusher. 

Simply upload your picture, or select a model image with a similar skin tone or eye colour to yours, and click on the ‘Try me on’ option on the product page. Easy to use — and fun!

collectioncosmetics.com 

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ALESHA’S HAIR BARGAINS 

Alesha Dixon has found a savvy way to keep her hair in great condition while taking a break from heated styling tools.

The singer, 41, now lets her hair air-dry, adding moisture, softness and shine with the help of products from the TRESemme Keratin Smooth range.

Her favourites include the Keratin Smooth Mask (now £3.05, boots.com), for a deep treatment, and the Keratin Smooth Shine Oil (£3.84), which nourishes the ends of hair.

Alesha Dixon has found a savvy way to keep her hair in great condition while taking a break from heated styling tools

Alesha Dixon has found a savvy way to keep her hair in great condition while taking a break from heated styling tools

THIS WORKS 

One week to healthier, glowing skin? 

It sounds too good to be true, but that’s the promise made by the new Nivea Q10 Energy Glow Boosting Face Ampoule Serum (£17.99, superdrug.com). 

This anti-ageing powerhouse cocktail of Q10 and vitamins E and C leaves skin moisturised and plumped up, with fewer visible fine lines.

superdrug.com 

 

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WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT MY MASK RASH? 

We’ve heard a lot about ‘maskne’ recently — break-outs caused by wearing a face covering — but some people suffer instead from irritated, itchy skin under their masks.

‘If you notice an itchy, red rash rather than pimples, you may have contact dermatitis,’ says cosmetic scientist Lynne Sanders, founder of Cosmetics A La Carte.

‘Consider protecting your skin with a barrier cream. In my view, the best option is Vaseline.’

Vaseline Original should be applied before you put on your mask

boots.com 

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Then use a gentle cleanser, such as Cosmetics A La Carte Total Lift Off, and moisturiser when you get home.  

cosmeticsalacarte.com 

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3 OF THE BEST: ROSE WATERS

IN YOUR 50s: Organic Rose Water Toner 

Grounded Organic Rose Water Toner is natural and nourishing. Infused with Damascena rose water and rich in anti-oxidants, it helps to calm skin and control excess oils. 

hollandandbarrett.com 

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NUXE Very Rose Refreshing Toning Mist contains allantoin and feels soothing, which makes it especially suitable for those with sensitive skin. 

Spritz on in the morning and at night after cleansing. 

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Suitable for dry skin, the hero ingredient of The Organic Pharmacy’s Rose Facial Spritz is Damask rose water, proven to increase the skin’s moisture levels. 

theorganicpharmacy.com

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SHAMELESS INDULGENCE 

Building on the success of Lancome’s citrussy floral fragrance Idole, the new, more flamboyant Idole L’Intense takes the key themes of rose, jasmine and chypre notes and turns up the sensuality.

Honeyed Grasse rose absolute combines with the fresh, green fragrance of Isparta rose petal essence to create the floral background. 

Layered with a musky jasmine trio, with light hints of fruit, patchouli, cedar, sandalwood and Madagascar bourbon vanilla, it’s a heady, exotic scent that is less feminine than feminist. 

Lancome makes no bones about the fact it is squarely aimed at ‘leaders and innovators of tomorrow’.

So if you’re ‘strong’, ‘outspoken’ and ’empowered’, this may well be the perfume for you.

lancome.co.uk 

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