Adeola’s 11 Best Beauty Tips

“There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to skincare. You need to assess your individual needs. Now that I am in my mid-30s, I focus on stimulating collagen production by using skincare full of collagen-boosting peptides that are proven to promote better bounce, glow and smoothness within the skin. If you’re looking to do the same, I can’t recommend SkinCeuticals’ new P-Tiox Anti-Wrinkle Serum enough. It’s an investment, but I’ve noticed such a difference – my complexion looks healthier but also suppler. My other tip here is to invest in a good vitamin C. Everyone can benefit from a powerful antioxidant that stimulates collagen, brightens the skin and keeps your cells ticking over without irritation – my favourite is Sunday Riley’s Vitamin C Brightening Serum. It goes without saying that everyone should use SPF daily. If you’re on the hunt for one that could take you seamlessly into autumn, I love Supergoop’s Play Everyday Lotion.”

“Eye creams with a gel-based texture can reduce puffiness around the eyes. The dewy, sheer dry-down gives the illusion of a more luminous effect to the whole eye area. Gel eye creams also have a cooling consistency that takes down irritation. When I buy them, I try to invest in ones that contain caffeine, as this is proven to accelerate blood flow and give a fresher, rejuvenated effect to the skin.”

“One of my biggest tips is to exfoliate at least once a week. The Dr Dennis Gross Peel Pads remove dead skin cells and unclog pores to improve skin texture. If you don’t have the time or budget for a professional facial treatment, you could add a brightening mask into your routine like the Kate Somerville Vitamin C one. I always say great make-up starts with great skin, so a good hydrating serum and moisturiser can create a nice canvas – I love the dewy skin moisturiser from Tatcha and Glow Recipe’s niacinamide drops.”

“As someone with combination to oily skin, I’ve learned to embrace the natural oils my skin produces, which can be a blessing since oilier skin tends to age slower. Instead of trying to strip away the oil, focus on skincare that hydrates and balances. Start with a balancing cleanser like the Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser, which gently removes impurities without over-drying. Incorporating an exfoliating acid toner with BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) a couple of times a week is also essential, as it decongests pores and prevents breakouts. Hydration is key, even for oily skin, as dehydrated skin can trigger more oil production. So, don’t skip moisturiser – opt for a lightweight gel cream that hydrates without clogging pores.”

“When it comes to summer-proofing your make-up, there are a few tried-and-tested products I recommend. With all of them, the trick is to work in light layers, leaving time between each application. I like to start with a product that preps and primes the skin, like the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Water Powder Serum. This mattifying priming serum controls shine and refines pores, while reducing oil production. Then, if you want coverage that’s breathable, try the new Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation. This beautiful long-wear formula has clever skin-mimicking technology that controls excess oil levels for a smoother effect. To set everything in place, use a little bit of Huda Beauty’s Easy Bake Loose Powder. It ensures make-up stays put without any unwanted shine – I love to apply it with a powder puff as it melts into your skin for a more believable finish.”

“A corrector is my number-one make-up secret for looking fresh and awake. For most people, darkness under the eyes can make them look tired and aged, so using a corrector before concealer will neutralise discolouration and brighten dark circles. My favourite one is from Bobbi Brown because it glides on effortlessly. After I’ve used my corrector and concealer (you will almost certainly see benefits from using both), I like applying an illuminating primer or a foundation with a dewy finish to give my skin further glow.”

“Brushes are best for achieving a smooth and long-lasting finish. Always use them in a dabbing motion – never sweep, as this can cause pilling. Another tip that most don’t know is that the bristles of make-up brushes are often two-toned – pay attention to this. You’ll find most are black with white tips. The latter helps you visualise how much product you have picked up and is the part you should use to apply your foundation and avoid streaks.” 

“The key to great brows comes down to a few products. I always start with a pencil like the Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil, which is ideal for creating hair-like strokes and filling in sparse areas. Use the attached spoolie to brush your brows into place and to blend away any excess product. A great alternative is the new Glossier Boy Brow Arch, which features a two-in-one custom tip with a precision edge. Its water-resistant, smudge-resistant formula ensures natural-looking brows that last all day. To keep everything in place, use a brow gel – my current go-to is the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Brows 24H Brow Lamination, which delivers a laminated effect that holds up. If you want added colour and fullness, try the Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel; I love this because it gives my brows a polished yet natural look.”

“Blusher is one of the easiest ways to brighten your complexion. I always feel more youthful with blusher on – the flush of colour is just the pick-me-up my complexion needs. That said, I know so many friends with deeper complexions who avoid it altogether because they fear looking like Aunt Sally or ‘clownish’. Getting it right comes down to two things: colour choice and application. I tend to stick to blushers with a warm undertone – orange and coral are really complementary. If you do go for pinks, make sure they have a warm undertone, so they don’t read as ashy or grey on your skin. A great tip is to look at the natural colour in your lips and choose colours that complement it. Then it’s about finding the right formula: for something long lasting, opt for matte shades and apply it with a brush. If you want something sheer and fool-proof, a cream blush can looks more natural when applied with your fingers.” 

“An illuminating setting spray is always worth keeping in your make-up bag. Not only does the right one boost your luminosity, it will keep everything in place too. I like to spritz one on in between make-up application stages to prevent slipping and pilling of product. My biggest tip is to spray your mist onto your brush to help with application. You don’t always need to apply the mist direct to your skin, and taking a target approach with your brush actually helps you get the right amount – not an endless, sticky stream.”

“I believe we should all show our bodies the same love as our faces when it comes to skincare. One of my tips is regular exfoliation, which I do using products like the Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum or the Ouai St Barts Body Scrub. Exfoliation is crucial for removing dead skin cells, encouraging cell turnover, and revealing smoother, more radiant skin underneath. Even though I’m a Black woman, one of my best beauty tricks is using a gradual self-tan, I love the Dove Gradual Self Tan, which helps even out my skin tone and camouflages any uneven patches. I also think moisturising daily is the key to keeping skin soft and hydrated. If you don’t like heavy creams, opt for a lightweight yet nourishing body milk that absorbs quickly without feeling greasy – the new Fenty Beauty Butta Drop is perfect for this. Applying it to damp skin means it absorbs faster too and doesn’t leave you sticking to clothes or bed sheets. If you want to further enhance your glow, use a shimmer like Nuxe’s Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil. It adds a soft, healthy sheen to skin that isn’t OTT, just glossy and healthy-looking.”