How to get perfect skin without foundation

Clear, dewy skin without a smudge or tell-tale tide line in sight is every woman’s holy grail. And it’s never been bigger.  The ‘I woke up like this’ look is everywhere.

High fashion brands are sending their models down the runway without the bold lips and baby doll lashes, and mega-star beauty icons Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon went make-up free for their latest critically-acclaimed movies (Cake, and the brilliant Wild respectively).

We love that the the beauty world has run screaming from the Kardashian-style agressive contour/highlight combo and power brows. Who really has time in their mornings for ‘sculpting’? But we’re not going to lie, easing off our faithful full-cover makeup base is sending our heart rates up to 7am spin class level.

To prime and ready our faces to reveal all, we caught up with Denise Rabor, make-up artist and founder of WOW Beauty. Barely-there beauty needs healthy, vital skin – make yours the perfect base with her six essential tips.

1. Drink up

We are made up of over 50 per cent water, so naturally our skin – face, hands and body – will be the first places to show signs of dehydration. If I had to choose only one beauty tip, it would be to keep hydrated by drinking at least 2 litres of water a day.

2. #JustMoveMore (it’s good for your face as well as your bod)

The beauty benefits of exercise are endless! It oxygenates our skin, encourages blood flow, and provides nourishment. Sweating is great as it allows us to excrete toxins. Exercise also eases stress, which has a negative effect on our skin.

3. Bin those facewipes ASAP

It’s vital to cleanse thoroughly using the right cleanser for your skin, and there are so many options available. Whether you use a cleansing cream or lotion, a foaming cleanser or cleansing bar or even a cleansing oil – the important thing is to use it properly and give your skin a thorough cleanse to remove dirt, dead skin and excess sebum.

4. Get to know your skin type

Every skin type needs effective moisturising, so take the time to discover your skin type and which products work best for you. With so many choices, it’s easy to get confused about what to use, whether it be creams, lotions, oils and serums, so if in doubt seek advice.

There are some amazing products available to suit every budget and preference, and remember that you don’t have to stick to the same product month after month. I have a selection of products that work well for my skin, which allows me to switch around depending on what my skin needs.

5. Perform essential maintenance

I am a passionate believer in facials and, more importantly, you can do your own at home! There are some amazing face masques and treatments available that will intensively moisturise and ‘plump’ your skin, as well as clear pores and brighten, so even if going to a facialist isn’t possible, your skin can still look great.

6. Eat beauty superfoods

Great skin requires a varied range of good ingredients, and I swear by: essential fatty acids e.g omega 3, 6 and 9 which you can get from oily fish; flax; and hemp seeds, which provide the skin with moisture and have properties that are especially helpful for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, as well for older skin that does not naturally produce as much essential fatty acids on its own. Meanwhile, green supplements or smoothies made of spinach, kale and avocado provide vitamin A, which helps your skin to regenerate, reducing dryness and helping to keep it nourished and supple. Time to get the blender out!

What are your tips for getting skin so healthy it looks great naked? Tweet and tell us @healthymag or post on our Facebook page.

Click here to find out more about Denise and WOW Beauty.