Whether you have a date planned on Valentine’s Day or are simply going to enjoy a girl’s night in, a change to your make-up routine could be the shake-up you’re after.
Rachael Finch believes that February 14 doesn’t have to be about who you’re dating or what plans you have.
“I like to think of Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate the things that make you feel happy – how you choose to do that is completely up to you but it’s important that we don’t put too much pressure on ourselves on days like this,” she said.
“Sometimes it’s nice to have your significant other take you out to dinner, but the day shouldn’t be limited to that. Have a girl’s night in, or a girl’s night out, take a few hours to yourself and do something you love.
I’m all about treating yourself too, so this is the perfect opportunity to try something new, take some me-time while doing your makeup and feeling good about yourself inside and out,” she added.
Here Rachael shares her top tips for summer skin care:
Don’t rely on your beauty brand ‘go-to’ when it comes to sun care
There is no better feeling than when you find a beauty brand that just ‘gets you’, with an entire range that works with your skin that you can pick up all in one go. Unfortunately, sunscreen really is the exception to this rule. Make sure you read labels, patch-test your skin first, and find the type that’s not going to cause irritation or inflammation.
Lather up, but be sure to wash it off!
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is leaving your sunscreen on once you’ve finished with the sun for the day! Sunscreens that work as a physical barrier to UV rays tend not to absorb into the skin as easily as those with a chemical filter, and can clog your pores if left on for prolonged periods of time. Make sure you rinse off after lathering up to avoid break-outs.
Hydrate
Hydrating the skin inside and out is especially important at this time of year. Drinking lots of water will help to combat dry skin and prevent eczema flare ups. It’s also important to focus on the outside by applying a good moisturiser regularly as an effective barrier for your skin, as well as using an after sun lotion to sooth the skin.
If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is
Fragranced or perfumed sunscreens often contain petrochemicals, which can cause allergic reactions in some people. Similarly, spray sunscreens sound good in theory but can be tricky to navigate (especially with little ones!) leaving unexpected sunburn patches from lack of coverage. Stick to non-fragranced sunscreen with visible coverage so you can ensure you’re protected in the most natural way. I love the Amcal sunscreen Dry Touch SPF 50 lotion which allows you to lather this directly onto skin, without that sticky feeling. 125ml retails for just $7.99.
Don’t forget to pucker-up for lip-friendly protection
If you’ve ever had sunburnt lips, you know that those nasty blisters take ages to heal, hurt and sometimes even cause your lips to swell up. Avoid this by applying an easy-to-use, moisturising lip balm with SPF 50+ protection. I love Amcal’s moisturising lip balm which retails for just $3.49. Unlike sunscreen, this balm is not visibly white nor thick in texture and can be used in addition to your lipstick or lip gloss. For extra hydrated lips, I like to finish my summer make up look with one of Colour Theory’s new lip gloss kits in La La Lips or Kisses By The Moonlight, each featuring 4 new colours for just $15.00.
Keep your little ones in mind
Children have delicate skin, and as such, they need stronger protection from the sun. As well as keeping them physically covered up with hats, rash vests and sunglasses, it’s important to incorporate a sunscreen that’s gentle on young skin while still containing a decent SPF rating. I love the Amcal Toddler Sunscreen in SPF50+ (125ml), at just $7.99 a pop.
