This week, we get to the bottom of serums and why we need them, plus get Emma Stone’s fresh faced, red carpet beauty look.
by Anna McDougall
What is a serum?
Usually seen splashed around editorials in the glossies the illusive and mysterious facial serum is the ideal product for when your skin seems stuck in a rut. But what are they and what do they do?
Serums are generally water-based moisturisers that contain a high concentration of super potent and active ingredients, such as vitamins, antioxidants and plant extracts, to recharge your skin’s hydration and restore radiance, tone and inject a bit of the lost years. If you’re lack-lustre and tired skin is on your last nerve, look to serums to become an essential addition to your skin care regime.
Why do I need it?
Facial serums are a must-have for added moisture and hydration but with the added strength of nutrients to penetrate the deeper layers of your skin that your moisturiser just can’t reach. As serums are void of moisturiser emollients like shea butter, fast penetration is possible and they won’t sit on the surface.
Serums are ideal under moisturiser or can act as a makeup primer, and if you have oily skin a serum can be worn alone.
How do I apply serum?
Your skin is like a sponge, it can only absorb to a certain extent so a twenty cent piece sized drop should be enough to cover your face and even décolletage.
Skin is more permeable when it’s moist, so leave your skin damp with toner and the active ingredients in your serum will penetrate deeper.
You apply the serum after your toner and before your moisturiser. Wait five minutes to let it sink in, and then apply your regular moisturiser.
What kinds of serums are there?
You can get many types of serums such as anti-ageing serums, moisture surging serums and treatment-oriented serums including skin brightening , dark spot erasing and acne preventative serums.
Rescu. Recommends:
Lancome Absolue Sublime Regenerating Oleo-Serum, your new go-to for instantly more toned and radiant skin from the very first application.
Elizabeth Arden PREVAGE® Anti-Aging + Intensive Repair Daily Serum for the clinical improvement in the appearance of fine lines and skin radiance.
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate biologically replicate skin’s natural lipids for first class skin repair.
Get Emma Stone’s Youthful Beauty Look
Hollywood ‘It’ girl Emma Stone is fast becoming a classic beauty with covetable makeup looks admired by women the world over. CHANEL celebrity makeup artist, Rachel Goodwin explains how she created a soft and youthful look to complement Stone’s Lanvin dress at the Croods premiere.
“Since it was a day time premiere I wanted Emma’s make up to feel fresh and playful,” said Goodwin. “I used warm metallics to create a softer version of a smoky eye and paired it with a soft beige on her cheeks and lips.”
“To prep her skin, I focused on the perimeter of her face, dabbing product directly onto her cheekbones, temples, jaw line and neck, then applied foundation to the center of the face fanning it out toward the edges with a beauty blender sponge,” said Goodwin.
“Next I worked a warm brown shadow into her lash line and up into the crease, and added a bronze cream shadow over the powder for a subtle shimmering effect. I finished by curling her lashes then applied two coats of black mascara to both the top and bottom lashes. I sculpted the cheeks with a sheer powder blush, then dabbed a nude lipstick to the apples for a peachy glow. I paired this with a similar hue on the lip for a soft look.”
Rescu. Recommends:
REVLON ColorStay 16H Eyeshadow Quad in Addictive, ($23.95) for the eyes and REVLON ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Runway, ($25.95) with CHANEL Rouge Coco Shine in Chic, for the lips.