Night out skincare routine

Night out skincare routine

When it comes to a night out, everyone wants to look their best. Makeup is all well and good but if you haven’t given your skin the right prep first, you’re going to end up disappointed with the end result. Whether you’re doing your makeup yourself or you’re having a professional do it for you, prepping your skin first and giving it some extra TLC will help you achieve that perfect night out look. Here’s how I go about it…

1. Exfoliate the week away

It can be difficult to maintain your skincare routine, especially as the week goes on. A week of working, gymming, sleeping in your makeup etc will make your skin tired, dull and flaky, so I like to scrub it all away using an exfoliator. My exfoliator of choice is the MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator (£22). It feels like you’re rubbing grit on your face but it’s so good! Yes it’s pricey, but I’ve had mine for well over a year and a half and I use it twice a week so there’s definitely value for money there. Be sure to wash it off properly so that you’re not left with bits of black in your pores!

2. Apply a face mask

Lots of people think they don’t have time for a face mask, but most of them only need to go on for 5-10 minutes, which is something you can do whilst you’re painting your nails or shaving your legs – it’s not hard to fit it in really. Depending on how my skin is behaving, I’ll use either a detox face mask or a moisturising one. Yesterday I used the L’Oreal Pure Clay Detox Max (£7.99 but usually on offer somewhere), left for 10 minutes and then washed away. My skin felt really clean afterwards and had a bit more life than when I started!

3. Use a gentle cleanser

Yes I’ve just scrubbed my skin clean and used a cleansing face mask, but I still like to use a cleanser as well. When you’re using dark-coloured products, it’s important to make sure you get them all off your skin – nobody wants to go out with black patches under their chin! Choose a gentle, nourishing cleanser just to get rid of any extra product. I LOVE Elemis Pro Radiance Cream Cleanser (£30) – another pricey product (some might say) but I’ve had this TWO YEARS and still have loads left. They also do travel sizes in different sets so you can see if you like it in that first. 

4. Tone

A lot of people forget about toner but it’s definitely important for that squeaky clean feeling before you apply your makeup. Avoid anything too harsh – you don’t want to be red before a night out! Pixi Glow Tonic (£10/£18) is an amazing toner which doesn’t make you feel like your skin is burning and doesn’t leave it feeling tight either – just clean and soft. It helps provide that extra bit of exfoliation to leave your skin super smooth.

5. Hydration Boost

Here’s my extra step for making sure my skin is fully prepped before I apply makeup. I use Bobbi Brown Skin Nourish Mask (£33) which is ideal for hydrating your skin and having it at its softest. It’s fabulous. I got a small sample from the Mask Trio Set (£10 if you can get your hands on it) and I’m probably on my sixth use by now and still have some left. You apply it quite liberally, tissue off any excess after 5 minutes and then rub the rest into your skin. You won’t regret it.

 

6. Moisturise 

The final step is to apply your moisturiser. I like quite a thick, creamy one as it helps me apply my base makeup better. Elemis Pro Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm (£37) is wonderful, and again, lasts ages (I go through one every 10 months with daily use). Apply all over your skin and give it 10-15 minutes to absorb and you’ll be ready to apply your makeup – easy!

 

By the time I finish I’ve got supersoft, clean, flake-free skin that will help for flawless makeup application. It might not work for everyone, but it’s certainly worth a try! I can’t recommend using a mask enough if you do nothing else – it’s a good way to target problem skin as well as giving you a nice pampering treat before your night out. Some of the products listed may seem expensive, but I promise they last ages and you can find ways around paying full-price for them. A discount code or student discount can be used on ASOS or House of Fraser where you’ll find a lot of these products, whilst AllBeauty is great for getting Elemis products cheaper.

I hope you’ll give my pre-night out routine a try – I’m sure it won’t disappoint! Enjoy glowing, soft night out skin that will leave your makeup looking fresh and flawless!

Follow:

37 Comments

  1. March 13, 2017 / 10:35 am

    Such a great post! I really like that L’Oreal mask. I also love to use a facial roller with an oil after a mask. I find it so pampering.

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      March 13, 2017 / 11:41 am

      I haven’t tried a facial roller before – is it worth investing? X

  2. March 13, 2017 / 10:45 am

    Great post and a lovely routine! I love the Loreal mask and the Pixi Glow Tonic is a fave – I think I’ll have to try the MAC exfoliator, it looks lovely!

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      March 13, 2017 / 11:40 am

      It’s so good – it’s a really hard working scrub!! X

  3. March 13, 2017 / 2:12 pm

    Informative post! I’m always exfoliating like crazy to get a perfect base ready for a night out!

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      March 13, 2017 / 2:17 pm

      I can’t go out without doing it – my friends take too many photos and I don’t want my dry skin to show! X

  4. March 13, 2017 / 8:59 pm

    Great post! I love the L’Oreal mask, it always leaves my skin looking super fresh x

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      March 13, 2017 / 9:11 pm

      Thanks Billie!! It’s a great mask – perfect skin treat! X

  5. March 13, 2017 / 10:37 pm

    I love Elemis! They are such a great skincare brand and are good for sensitive skin too

  6. March 14, 2017 / 1:52 am

    Great post babe, as a makeup artist it makes such a difference if the client has taken care of their skin, people tend to think makeup fixes everything but dry flaky skin is makeups worst enemy.

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      March 14, 2017 / 7:20 am

      Definitely! When I get mine done by an MUA I feel like it’s my duty to turn up with prepped skin!! X

  7. March 14, 2017 / 1:55 am

    That MAC exfoliator looks so pretty in the tube haha! I have been using the exfoliating version of the Loreal mask and I’ve been loving it. Also love Elemis cleansers, their cleansing balm is one of my favourites!

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      March 14, 2017 / 7:21 am

      I’ll have to try the exfoliating one and add it to my list 🙂 x

  8. March 14, 2017 / 1:36 pm

    Hey Siân!! Your blog is amazing!! It’s so well thought out and organized!! I’m definetly gonna follow it… I hope you follow mine as well! Your blog in so inspiring ?

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      March 14, 2017 / 1:54 pm

      Aw thank you so much for the lovely comments 🙂 I’ve just subscribed to yours! Xx

  9. March 15, 2017 / 1:01 am

    That Pixi Glow Tonic sounds really interesting. I haven’t tried the brand but I’m going to have to try this I think. Xx

  10. March 15, 2017 / 6:30 am

    I really have been meaning to try the Pixi Glow tonic. It sounds so great and there are so many rave reviews on the blogosphere.

    Lubz || http://lubzsays.com

  11. March 15, 2017 / 8:20 am

    I am loving the Loreal Detox masks, its definitely in made its way into my routine.
    xx

  12. March 15, 2017 / 8:51 am

    No I’m supposed to be saving money! Awesome read xx

    • March 23, 2017 / 7:29 am

      I’d vernute that this article has saved me more time than any other.

  13. March 15, 2017 / 10:46 am

    You’ve sold me on the L’Oreal mask! I’ve been seeing bloggers all over rave about it and have decided I just need it in my collection.
    I’m a huge, huge, hugeeee fan of face masks and legit wish I had more time to do them (well let’s face it, I probably do but am just lazy and forget!)

    A great post lovely – keep up the amazing work!
    Elley | http://elleymae.com

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      March 15, 2017 / 2:21 pm

      Thanks so much Elley!!! X

  14. March 15, 2017 / 8:09 pm

    Great post!! I love a good face mask but that Elemis Flash Balm is calling my name. I wonder id its similar to the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm.

    Kayte
    http://www.immbeauty.com

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      March 15, 2017 / 8:58 pm

      Oooh I’m not sure – I bet they are similar! I love the flash balm!!!! X

  15. March 15, 2017 / 9:48 pm

    Love this post. I really want to try some of these products like the face mask and bits from Bobbi Brown! I feel like I’ve wanted to try the pixi glow tonic for a ridiculous amount of time too haha! I love using a face mask at least once a week, just makes my skin feel that little bit better.

    Ellie x

    http://www.elliesbitsofbeauty.wordpress.com

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      March 15, 2017 / 10:09 pm

      Seriously try the Pixi Glow Tonic! The £10 bottle has lasted me aaaaages already and it’s fab! x

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      March 17, 2017 / 9:44 am

      It’s great and such good value for money! X

  16. March 16, 2017 / 11:54 pm

    The Pixi Glow Tonic is one of my fave skincare products now…I use it every day, morning and night. Great post, some great product choices x

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      March 17, 2017 / 9:43 am

      It’s fabulous! so glad I tried it! Want their overnight glow serum next! X

  17. Hannah
    March 17, 2017 / 8:36 am

    I’m a bit of a blogaholic- this is really good!! I have always been so tempted by beauty boxes too!!
    Beauty question, would you put serum on before moisturiser? Xx

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      March 17, 2017 / 9:43 am

      Thank you very much! I do put serum on before moisturiser if I feel I need it. This morning I used The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid before my moisturiser and my skin has definitely locked in the moisture more! X

  18. March 17, 2017 / 11:33 am

    I am obsessed with all things skin care and I am always on the hunt for some new products. Definitely going to try some of these products, especially the face mask!

    Lucy Jane | http://lucyjbeaumont.wordpress.com

  19. March 17, 2017 / 8:08 pm

    I had never seen that MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator but it seems amzing!! I need to check it out in store!

  20. March 20, 2017 / 2:34 pm

    Great post! I am currently testing the loreal mask and its been a great skin prep for my makeup the following day. Cant wait to try the pixi glow tonic heard good things.

    Taslyn| http://www.hiddenbeau-t.co.uk

  21. September 2, 2017 / 7:45 am

    I’m going to give the Bobbi Brown mask a go on your recommendation! X

    • Siân Catrin
      Author
      September 2, 2017 / 8:07 am

      Woooop you won’t regret it! X

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe


Instagram