MULTI-TASKING is a term often used to extol the virtues of skincare that targets more than one concern. While these all-rounders can be impressive, sometimes, you need two distinct phases to really work wonders.
Whether cleansing, hydrating or treating, with these paired-up methods, the results will be twice as nice...
CLEANSING COUPLETS
If you often end up with traces of foundation on the towel after washing your face, clearly you need to bolster your nightly cleansing technique.
Like an electric toothbrush, a vibrating facial brush combined with a foaming wash will make light work of stubborn make-up, and exfoliate at the same time. Rinse your face then follow with a cleansing pad to sweep up any hard-to-reach areas around your nose and hairline and take care of eye make-up.
:: Foreo Luna for Sensitive/Normal Skin, £129 (LookFantastic.com)
:: Elemis Gentle Foaming Facial Wash, £28 (available February 1; www.elemis.com)
:: This Works In Transit No Traces 60 Pads, £17 (www.thisworks.com)
To melt away make-up, try a cleansing balm. Solid at room temperature, the balm softens on contact with the skin, then emulsifies when water is added, taking with it make-up and oil. Balms can be tricky to rinse off completely, however, so follow with a micellar-containing product, which acts like a magnet for dirt and ensures a squeaky-clean complexion.
:: ARK Pro Remove Pre Cleanse, £30 (www.arkskincare.com)
:: Nivea Micellar Wipes, £3.25, Sainsbury's (www.sainsburys.co.uk)
In response to the 'double duty' trend, cult brand Pixi has paired up with highly respected blogger Caroline Hirons on a terrific twosome that combines a solid cleansing oil and a cream in one handy pot.
:: Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse, £24, Marks and Spencer (www.marksandspencer.com)
HYDRATE IN TWO HALVES
We're often advised to change our moisturiser when it gets particularly frosty (or hot, for that matter), but adding an extra layer before your day or night cream can provide all the nourishment your complexion needs.
Just a few drops of oil, warmed in your palms then massaged into skin, will make all the difference in winter, but make sure you let it absorb thoroughly before finishing with your usual moisturiser.
:: Beauty Kitchen Seahorse Plankton High Definition Facial Oil, £19.99, Holland and Barrett (www.hollandandbarrett.com)
:: Clarins Hydra-Essential Silky Cream, £36 (available in March; www.clarins.co.uk)
In Korea, 10-step skincare routines are the norm - a commitment most of us would be loathe to make. One tip we'd do well to borrow, though, is the use of an 'essence lotion'. It may look like a toner, but this potent liquid gently soothes, smoothes and boosts hydration, before your moisturiser locks it in.
:: Origins Original Skin Essence Lotion, £22 (www.origins.co.uk)
:: No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Night Cream, £24.95, Boots (www.boots.com)
MAKE YOUR OWN MASK
A weekly face mask is a must, whatever your skin type, but 'multi-masking' is particularly effective if you have combination skin. Apply an exfoliating, oil-absorbing treatment across the T-zone and a moisturising mask on the rest of your face, then sit back and let them work their magic.
:: GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment, £39 (GlamGlow.co.uk)
:: Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask, £34 (www.elemis.com)
If your skin tends to be on the dry side, a two-phase approach is your best bet. Start with a gently exfoliating mask to sweep away any flakiness, then use a sheet mask to deliver a hefty dose of moisture. The end result? Rejuvenated, plump-looking skin.
:: Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant, £39.20 (www.dermalogica.co.uk)
:: Starskin Red Carpet Ready Hydrating Bio Cellulose Second Skin Face Mask, £8.50, (BeautyBay.com)
TRIED AND TESTED
:: There's been a flood of matte liquid lip launches this season, but which is best? Our guinea pigs put three new shades to the test...
:: BareMinerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Friendship, £17 (www.bareminerals.co.uk)
"Smooth to apply - not sticky at all – this shade is opaque and slightly darker, but than the frosted packaging suggests, but it's still very wearable, for both day and night, and makes for a nice change from my usual bright reds and pinks."
4/5
:: Ciate Liquid Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick in Bitter Sweet, £17 (Asos.com)
"I've totally fallen in love with this matte finish lipstick! My lips are usually dry, but this liquid velvet lipstick left them feeling moisturised. It's highly pigmented, so I didn't have to apply a tonne of product, and the long-lasting weightless formula is a real winner."
5/5
:: Burberry Liquid Lip Velvet in Dark Rosewood, £26 (www.burberry.com)
"Sliding on like a gloss, this liquid lippie dries to a deep tawny-pink that manages to make my lips look plumper even though there's no shine. It's got fantastic staying power, but I found I needed a lip liner to create a really defined edge."
4/5
BUY IT NOW
They're back! Six of Essie's most beloved limited-editions have been relaunched and given a Vegas-style makeover. From the sweetly subtle Pure Chiffon to the black cherry bite of Bold Beauty, you've only got until March 7 to get your talons on these vintage varnishes.
:: Essie Retro Revival 2nd Edition Collection, £7.99 each, Superdrug (www.superdrug.com)
BEAUTY BULLETIN
:: THE GREAT (BRITAIN) UNWASHED
When did you last wash your hair? New research has found that a quarter of time-pressed UK women are lathering up less than they used to, with nearly 40% admitting they use dry shampoo and styling hacks to conceal greasy locks for longer. The survey from Herbal Essences also revealed more than half of us are now so busy, that the reason they really like a shampoo session is because it gives them some much-needed 'me time'!
:: CELEB SCENTS FADING FAST
It seems like every celeb, from the A to the Z-list, has their own perfume these days, but our desire for famous fragrances might be waning, as NPD Group reveals sales of prestige celebrity scents fell by 22 per cent in 2016. In contrast, the couture designer fragrances sector showed strong growth, with sales rising by 6 per cent.
