New Year, New You: Our Beauty Editor On Her Indulgent WFH Beauty Routine

How has the pandemic changed your beauty routine?

My morning routine has become so indulgent, to the point where it’s obnoxious. Working from home means I have more time in the morning to spend on my beauty routine, so I start the day by cleansing with my Garnier Micellar Ecopad Wipes and Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water before using a microcurrent device to lift and tone my facial muscles – I’ve been using the NuFace for years but the FOREO BEAR Facial Toning Device is a good one to try. Then I follow my usual shower routine before using an LED face mask to stimulate collagen production and reduce inflammation. While my LED face mask is doing its thing, I apply Ultra Violette The Bod Brigade (I always make sure I apply SPF on my body) everywhere except for my face and chest. Next up is my face and chest routine – this involves Medik8 C-Tetra, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Skinstitut EXPERT Revive Smoothing Eye Treatment, Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator and Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF50+.

Do you have any lockdown beauty horror stories?

Unfortunately, yes. I went into lockdown with a flawless SNS manicure and came out looking like Edward Scissorhands.

What’s your quick Zoom-ready beauty routine?

I’ve finally nailed this and can get ready for a Zoom meeting in 60 seconds (yes, I’ve timed it), sans makeup brushes. Here’s what you’ll need: M.A.C Eye Brows Big Boost Fibre Gel (in shade Lingering), Ere Perez Arnica Concealer (I use the shade Latte), Bobbi Brown Lip Liner (shade Beige), Ere Perez Carrot Colour Pot (I use the shade Hello and only apply a tiny amount to give my lips and cheeks some colour) and Benefit Roller Lash Mascara (I have eyelash extensions so I only use this when I haven’t had time for an infill). 

First, backcomb the M.A.C Eye Brows Big Boost Fibre Gel through your brows to allow the fibres to build up and then brush upwards to sculpt your arches – applying brow gel like this will fill them in so you can skip the brow pencil. Next, apply the Ere Perez Arnica Concealer under your eyes and wherever you want a bit of coverage. If you smudged the brow gel when you applied it you can clean it up with your fingers and a little concealer. I then line my lips with the Bobbi Brown Lip Liner before reaching for my Ere Perez Carrot Colour Pot and dabbing a touch of colour on my lips and cheeks for a natural flush. Finally, add a swipe of Benefit Roller Lash Mascara and you’re Zoom-ready!

Did you pick up any lockdown beauty hacks that are so good, you can’t go back?

Yes! Fake tanning on weekdays. Unfortunately, I’ll have to ditch this one when we return to the office. I can’t stand fake tanning while I sleep because I hate missing a night of skincare, so on a fake tan day, I tie my hair back in a tight bun, apply the Loving Tan 2HR Express Mousse Dark and put on a black maxi dress like the Madison The Label Majella Dress (it’s the ultimate fake tan outfit for looking polished while you tan). I wash off the tan at lunchtime and then I don’t have to worry about doing it later that night. 

What are your top three tips for how to go back to the office in style?

1. Have a go-to makeup look that you do each morning so you don’t have to think about it – using a palette like the Benefit Fouroscope 4 Square Palette 3 Air Goddess makes life so much easier. 
2. Sleep on a Shhh Silk SIlk Pillowcase to help extend styled hair for an extra day or two
3. Dry shampoo will save you so much time in the morning and can also help to extend the time between washes
   

What was the first beauty treatment you booked after lockdown? 

My hair! I’m a bottle blonde so I was overdue for colour and trim. 

How has your makeup routine changed since before the pandemic?

I use more multipurpose products now. Since my skincare routine is so excessive now, I’ve found that I use less makeup products than I did before (because I have no time left to apply makeup). For my everyday routine, I go for a monochromatic look using one shade for eyes, lips and cheeks with either the Ere Perez Carrot Colour Pot in Hello or the Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturising Cheek Colour Balm in Ampd up Apple. 

What’s a simple but effective AM beauty routine for anyone who’s struggling to get organised before work?

If you’re short on time, stick to the basics. Most of us don’t need to cleanse every morning so just splash your face with water, apply a Vitamin C serum to protect your complexion from free radicals and use an SPF that’s hydrating enough that you can skip the moisturiser. Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF50+ is moisturising enough for most people to do this with.

How can we prevent our complexion from becoming dehydrated after being in air conditioning all day?

I swear by the Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray. I once asked a flight attendant how she kept her complexion hydrated throughout long-haul flights and she told me that she and her co-workers all used this face spray during long flights. Obviously, I went straight to duty-free after I landed and bought one immediately. A few spritzes during the day keeps my complexion looking refreshed and glowy. 

What beauty products are always in your beauty bag?

Weleda Skin Food, Ultra Violette Sheen Screen Lip Balm SPF50 and AYU SOUQ Perfume Oil.

How do you relax and reset your complexion after a long working week?

On Sunday evening I like to relax and do a few beauty treatments to prepare myself for the week ahead. I always put a few drops of essential oil in my The Goodnight Co. Ceramic Essential Oil Diffuser. Lately, I’ve become obsessed with using the Scent Australia Home Santal 66 Oil  – It’s the most luxe essential oil I’ve ever used and it makes my apartment smell like a fancy hotel, just trust me on this. I recommended this diffuser and essential oil combination to so many people as a gift idea over Christmas and it got rave reviews.

For beauty treatments, it’s usually the Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask, an overnight hair serum like the Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Overnight Serum and a coat of the Loving Tan Deluxe Gradual Tan Dark if my tan needs a top-up for the week ahead.