Fashion Week: Runway ready SKIN

Ever notice all the makeup you see on the runways (let it be known is applied on 19 yr olds MAX) the skin always looks clean, hydrated, dewy and fresh? Now, imagine putting your makeup on in the morning, wearing it for 2 hours and running to another place to have someone take it off and reapply a whole new look in less than 30 minutes- your face would be pretty beat up! The key to taking care of your skin no matter what trauma it's exposed to; the elements (um, hello walking in the cold in NYC), unclean brushes, heavy foundations, stress...this all takes it toll. I have found the best way to calm your skin and reinvigorate your face is to adopt a good skin care regimen. I constantly ask models what they do if they have good skin and I'm pleasantly surprised that being in 'the industry' has instilled some great habits (even if smoking and staying up late come with the territory). Here is what you HAVE to do to have runway skin:

• Remove makeup at night (no matter what) this means eye makeup remover, my favorite is Lancome Bi-Facil, Cleansing (twice if you have more foundation on than usual) saturate a cotton pad (I like Sheseido or Cle de Peau cotton pads) with a Cream Cleanser and do a once over, tissue off and cleanse again using circular motions on forehead, cheeks, chin, sides of nose
• Toner- if you have dry skin use an alcohol free toner, saturate a cotton pad and sweep in circular motions all over the face
• Serum- these tend to help lift and firm to help the moisturizer work better and improve the texture of your skin overall. HUGE difference when you use serums. I love DDF
• Moisturizer- use a heavier moisturizer for pm than you do for am. Be sure to use one that is rich enough that it is absorbed into the skin (not sitting on top) but that doesn't leave your skin feeling dry 5 minutes after you apply. I really like Remede Alchemy- it's the perfect moisturizer for night
• Eye Cream- this is the area of the face that shows aging the quickest b/c this is where collagen breaks down the fastest and dead cells are not reborn here- once the fine lines start to appear sun, smoking, lack of sleep, alcohol, dehydration- will only speed up the process. My favorite eye creme is Lancome PROGRES. You have to ask for it at the counter it's an oldie but goody they keep hidden for the real junkies.
• Lip treatment- whether it's Rosebud Salve, Fresh SPF 25 lip treatment, or chapstick- hydrated lips absolutely make or break how your color will wear!

Believe it or not- when I have 5 minutes to prep a face that already has makeup on I do all these steps every time! Now, seeing as you only have to worry about your own face, clean, well-prepped skin will make your makeup wear longer, look dewier, and more youthful no matter what age you are!

You'll never look as good as you do today

Dara