My Beauty Rules: Luisa Dunn

There are two key products I’m never without. I swear by a tinted moisturiser with SPF for everyday wear. Being outdoors a lot during my life has made me love the convenience of products like this – they give just enough coverage, while simultaneously protecting my skin from any harmful UV rays. I find just a light bit of foundation is more than enough, and it’s more youthful in my opinion, too. Secondly, I love a good pink lipstick – be it pale or bright – and I have several favourites, including ‘Patricia’ by Runway Rogue and MAC’s ‘Candy Yum Yum’.
 
Now I’m older, moisturisation is key. As my skin has matured, I’ve slowly tweaked my routine to add in the extra hydration it needs. I always apply moisturising products in the evening, then again first thing in the morning, using formulas like hyaluronic acid to really layer up and quench. My biggest advice with mature skin is to let everything fully absorb before applying any make-up – while skin needs hydration, it needs to be done in thin layers so you never get any pilling (rolling) of your products. 
 
Social media is my go-to place for inspiration. It sounds obvious, but nowadays it’s one of the easiest places to find looks and ideas. I am a creative person, so I adore seeing creatives share their talents on these platforms. I also love the fact that talent is so accessible and can be seen so easily on the likes of Instagram. Prior to this, I’d always seek out magazines and, of course, friends for inspiration – be it for beauty, fashion or interiors. 
 
Seeing a dermatologist is one of the best things I’ve ever done. I’ve been with mine for over 15 years and I am so grateful for all their professional scientific guidance. Everything I do with my complexion has been influenced by their advice and it’s been key to assessing my needs, as things have changed throughout the years. It’s an investment, but a worthwhile one if you’re serious about maintaining a smoother-looking appearance.
 
Borrowing my mother’s make-up is my earliest beauty memory. I distinctly remember grabbing her blue eyeshadow around the age of ten and quickly realising the entire process was fascinating, but also much harder than it looked!
 
Brows are so important – never overpluck. We’ve all been there in terms of overdoing it on our eyebrows and it’s something we should all tread carefully with. Once they’re gone, they don’t tend to grow back, so take it easy. Nothing is as lovely – or as face-framing – as a full, natural brow. Put the tweezers down and leave it to the pros. Likewise, it’s key you invest in a good brow pencil that complements your natural hair colour – this is the easiest way to get a good, natural-looking match.

A big beauty lesson I’ve learnt is to stay playful. It’s important to have fun every now and again, so do try things that are outside the box. What’s the worst that can happen? You’ll just have to remove it. At times, make-up should be for pure joy and playfulness – anything goes in my book, providing you feel good. I’ve always believed that make-up is an extension of our personalities – think of it like fashion for your face. My only tip is if you’re going for a bold eye, pair it with a soft lip and vice versa to balance everything out. 
 
There are so many key people to follow for inspiration. Notably Katie Jane Hughes who creates such beautiful looks. I also recommend Mia Connor, Brandon Scott and Nikol Johnson Sanchez – they all have such incredible feeds full of aspirational ideas. 
 
My hair has been a work in progress. I discovered my first grey hair at 16 and, as a result, I started colouring my roots to hide them using dark and light brown tones. It wasn’t until 2019 when I decided I was done with trying to hide them and I wanted to opt for lighter, cooler tones to match my roots. The journey was a long one, but eventually I consulted an expert at a salon, had a silver toner treatment and let that sit for a while to mentally adjust to seeing myself with grey hair. The rest, as they say, is history. What I wish I’d known is how lengthy the process would be without properly looking into things. To streamline the process, make sure you do research, always ask questions and do grow your hair out naturally – taking a cold turkey approach is always best.  
 
A few brands stand out from the crowd for mature skin. I love Runway Rogue and Rageism Beauty, the latter of which specifically caters to a mature audience. They have neutral colours that are very suits-all and buildable textures that are easy to work with. Likewise, I love MAC as they too have something for everyone. If I am going to do a big haul, it’s always at MECCA Cosmetics, which is in many ways an Australian version of Sephora in the UK. They do some of the best brands and products – you’re guaranteed to find what you’re looking for there. 
 
I keep the same staples in my bag. Though I experiment and have fun, I do tend to keep the same products in my make-up bag: a good mascara, moisturiser, pink lipstick, SPF tinted foundation and a pink blusher. I also keep a neutral/brown eyeshadow palette handy at all times, as those shades really flatter mature skin tones. A cool, grey-toned brow pencil is a must for me, as is a translucent powder to set everything in place. I’d never be without a waterproof mascara and sunscreen either – both are my desert island products. Providing you have good basics like these in your kit, everything else follows suit.
 
Follow Luisa on @TheSilverLining_1970