Hints & tips from beauty gurus to help you ace your boots.com shop
Ah, shopping for beauty. There's nothing like it, and it's even easier than ever to get your beauty fix online. And here to help you navigate the treasure troves to find your latest foundation, hair colour or skincare squeeze, are a handful of experts in the beauty game.
How to shop foundation
Think you can’t shop your shade online? Think again! What used to be a try-before-you-buy product (who remembers squeezing blobs on the back of their hand?) is now one of the easiest beauty purchases to bag online. Senior MUA Rebecca Moore talks us through how to dodge the make-up counter and head straight to checkout – no swatching required.
First thing’s first, learn your undertone. Look at the inside of your wrist at your veins, which colour is more prominent? “If you see green, you’ll most likely fall into the category of a yellow, olive or golden undertone,” says Rebecca. “ If blue stands out more, you’ll most likely have a pink or red undertone. If you see both colours, you’ve got a neutral undertone.”
Lay the foundations
Next, check the shade and tone of the foundation you’re looking at and decide what you see as light, medium, medium-deep and deep. That way you’ll be able to match your skin tone to the shades on offer.
“If your shade is slightly off, don’t panic! Using a concealer is a great way to add brightness with warm and additional tones if needed,” adds Rebecca. “Don’t forget to complete your make-up routine with bronzer and blusher as these will balance out your overall look.”
Psst! Whether you’re after the dewy foundation of your dreams or prefer something more matte, book an online consultation with a pro MUA from our Beauty Crew!
How to brighten up your make-up bag
With the option to swipe and swatch to your heart’s content, it’s easier to fall in love with a new lippy or liner in store rather than online, right? Wrong! SJ – Health & Beauty Magazine’s Beauty Director – is here to show you just how simple shopping for make-up online actually is.
“If a bright colour catches your eye but you’ve never worn it as make-up before, a great way to test it out is to find something that’s a similar colour – a top, a pair of shoes or even a handbag,” she tells us. “Look into a mirror and hold it up to your face, you'll be able to see what it looks like next to your complexion.”
SJ adds: “I’m a great believer in that if something has caught your attention and made you think about it, then it’s for you.
“If you like something and it’s going to make you feel great, buy it and wear it with confidence and happiness. It’s only make-up after all – you can always take it off.”
SJ's favourite beauty buys
NARS Liquid Blush in Orgasm
“If I need an instant boost to my complexion, I reach for this blusher. I’ve worn it for over 10 years, and it gives my cheeks that flushed effect with a hint of highlight and shimmer. I wear one layer for a low-key subtle look, and just keep piling it on when I want a really overly-blushed effect.”
How to freshen up your hair colour at home
Few things are as rewarding as mastering the art of DIY dyeing. With vibrant, head-turning colour achievable in the comfort of your own home (hallelujah!), we caught up with colour king Josh Wood – expert colourist and founder of Josh Wood Colour – for some not-so salon secrets.
Shopping for hair dye online can feel like a bit of a challenge, what with so many options to choose from. One way to help you select your new shade is to study the colour before you dye. According to Josh, shade numbers “don’t translate well across brands, so always look for imagery that will help you visually identify the colour you want to be.” Shade names can also be tricky to navigate, but a nifty hack to help you determine the tones in a shade colour is to see how gold and silver jewellery pair with your skin tone. That way you’ll be able to tell if warm or cool colours suit you best.
If you’re covering greys, “think about how much needs to be covered and which shade will suit your skin tone,” Josh tells us. “Darker colours will give more dense results so I would advise trying a lighter shade if there are lots of greys to cover – the regrowth will be less obvious, and the colour tends to be more flattering around the face.
If your hair could do with a hydration hit, apply the Josh Wood Colour Everything Mask a few days before you colour. According to our expert, “hydrated hair will mean you get a more even and shiny result.”
Already got highlighted hair or a balayage style? If you’re looking to get creative with your DIY dyeing, “be realistic about what you can achieve,” says Josh. There’s a reason your hairdresser is a professional! Stick to glosses or toners in the Josh Wood Colour GLOSS range – they’ll help your already dyed do to stay looking like you just stepped out of the salon.
Got the colour bug? Satisfy your cravings and get your hands on the Josh Wood collection!
How to shop your skincare saviours
Skincare can be a tad overwhelming with so many products promising to do this and that for your skin – gone are the days we just cleansed and moisturised. To help make things easier, we chatted with the askINKEY Team from skincare experts The INKEY List for their top tips on shopping skincare online.
Just my (skin) type
Let’s start at the beginning and break it down. “It’s super important to know your skin type so that you can choose the right ingredients for your skin," the askINKEY Team explains. “There are five common types – dry, oily, combination, normal and sensitive – which can change depending on the time of year, your hormones, your age and the products you’re already using.” Not sure on your type? Relax, we’ve got you covered. Read our handy guide to every skin type.
If you’re building your regime from scratch, it’s helpful to know what’s what. So, here’s a quick run-through of the basics from start to finish.
Cleanser
Removes oil, dirt and make-up.
Toner
A gentle exfoliator to help remove dead skin cells.
Moisturiser
Locks in moisture for a hydration boost.
Serum
Targets different skin concerns.
Facial oil
Helps to keep your skin’s barrier strong and improve the appearance of skin texture.
SPF
Helps to protect against UV rays (even on a cloudy day).
Research is key
Once you’ve understood your skin type, it’s time to throw it back to your school days and start your research. According to our experts, “one of the best ways to do this is to look at reviews by people who have similar skin concerns or type to yourself." By doing plenty of prep before you buy, you’ll be sure to avoid products that don’t quite gel with your skin. Oh, hello skincare guru!
Et voila! Shopping for your beauty routine from the comfort of your home has never been simpler.
