Bank holiday weekend is fast approaching! Whether you’ve planned a weekend away, a family gathering, a bottomless brunch or you’re just relaxing in the garden, let’s face it having a few days off calls for a celebration and of course you want to look your best.

Things are looking bright this Bank Holiday! The days are getting longer, and brighter, and the sun is slowly but surely coming out of hibernation to give us some much needed Vitamin D. Trouble is this event-filled weekend can easily lead to late nights and over-indulgence and as a result skincare regimes definitely tend to fall by the wayside SO whilst you might be having the time of your life your skin may NOT be looking so bright.  Alcohol, sugar overload, and late nights can all play a part in turning skin on its head depriving it of moisture and causing damage to collagen and elastin fibres (High consumption of sugar binds to our structural proteins in a process referred to as glycation which in turn leads to premature ageing).  It’s often referred to as ‘sugar sag’!

Any serious beauty expert will tell you the secret to smooth, glowing skin is good prep work and a really good cleanse, especially before any event where you want your complexion to take centre stage. Research shows we only spend 20 seconds cleansing our faces and that’s not enough to penetrate those layers of debris that can accumulate throughout the day especially if you love to wear make-up - you are literally scratching the surface.  Double cleansing is the process of washing your face twice BUT a simple skincare hack is to combine a cleanser with an acid exfoliator to create the ‘double cleanse’ technique without it being too time consuming!  First use a milk or cream based cleanser like Gentle Silk Cleanser enriched with conditioning Silk Extracts or Phyto Radiance Cleanser laced with plumping collagen molecules to first deconstruct and dissolve layers of dirt, debris, and make-up for a superficial clean whilst fortifying the skin barrier. Follow with a swipe or splash or Exfoliating BHA & PHA Glow Tonique, a leave on toner fuelled with a blend of acids which combines intelligent exfoliation with deep decongestion, and you have the perfect way to deliver a supreme double cleanse with minimum effort and minimal time. You’re welcome!

Parched skins rejoice because nothing can revive thirsty skin quite like Hydra Aura Moisturising Cream.  Plumping and skin reviving, this intensely hydrating gel cream combines the power of red and green marine seaweeds to encourage the skin to look smooth, hydrated, bouncy and balanced. Absorbing quickly, it works great under make-up even acting as a primer whilst it restores and conditions.  Infused with an ultra- fresh scent it is suitable for any skin type that is ready to take a dip and drench itself in moisturising goodness. Better, brighter skin incoming….

As the bank holiday approaches ‘less is more’ when it comes to make-up but when you quickly want to detract from whatever you are hoping to camouflage – from dark spots and dark circles to redness and blemishes – consider all your skincare woes a thing of the past with Miracle Eye Contour, a skincare hybrid that melts into skin and delivers undetectable coverage that you’ll adore.  Bursting with skin brightening Green Tea and pore refining Niacinamide it is seamless for every complexion requirement whether you are looking to conceal, highlight or dial up the dew for a glass skin effect.  This is all about minimal effort ‘no-make-up make up’ days when less is most certainly more.  

Your lips are the focal point of your face, and full plump, and voluptuous pouts are associated with youth and beauty so let them shine through this Bank Holiday with Gatineau’s Defi Lift Volumizing Peptide Lip Treatment. A hardworking indulgent formula packed with a signature Maxi-Lip complex and Swertia Chirata Extract – a proprietary blend that diminishes the depth of fine lines, so your lips regain volume and bounce. The best part? I love how multi-tasking it is so you can use it either as a daily pick-me-up up when you are out and about, over the Bank Holiday weekend as an intensive overnight treatment, OR as part of your beauty routine to give your lips a high-shine (but non sticky) finish. It’s an absolute treat for your lips and ensures you look like ‘you’ on a great day.

The Bank Holiday is fast approaching which means one thing in the ‘beautysphere’ – no matter what finish you want to achieve over this long weekend, the prep is always what sets you up for success and you’ll always be able to get a lotta help from Gatineau.

Lucy x