Beauty Clinic: How can I soften lines for the camera?
Q. I am going to a couple of events where I am likely to be in photographs. My problem is that the most noticeable thing is always my wrinkles. They aren’t really very deep or very many but they seem to attract the light from the camera. Is there anything I can do to soften them? A In a word, yes. Very important first and foremost to keep them hydrated on a daily basis, both from inside - so sipping lots of water, lots of oils, fruit and vegetables - and outside, which means good skincare in general, using a range for dry more mature skin (you might want to look at the Award Winners in the latest edition of The Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible) plus some specific products.
Before Hollywood awards and galas, A-listers make a beeline for Innovative Skincare Active Serum, which has been shown to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and brighten hyperpigmentation when used over three months. Dermatologists applaud it. It's £68 for 15 ml from www.victoriahealth.com. (NB It does tingle on application and that's normal.)
We are very impressed by Cult 51 Immediate Effects Serum, a hefty £95 from www.feelunique.com and other online retailers but it really does deliver. This super-charged product treats the skin when used on a daily basis but also, as the name implies, offers a visible almost immediate blurring of lines. They suggest you apply then wait for 15 minutes before gazing at the results (in awe, as far as we are concerned).
Another superstar –at a more moderate price - is Temple Spa It’s All a Blur Instant Wrinkle Filler, part of their Red Carpet range, which you can apply as an allover primer or over make-up to soften lines (so fab for touch-ups before the shutter clicks…)/£30 for 30 ml from www.templespa.com and www.victoriahealth.com.
A Beauty Steal favourite is Soap & Glory Hocus Focus Instant Visual Flaw-Softening Illuminator/30ml at www.boots.com. This illuminating lotion, which contains long-lasting luminospheres, instantly softens the look of your skin and diffuses the appearance of large pores, wrinkles and uneven pigmentation. Mix it with your moisturiser or blend into your foundation, even use it on top of make-up as a highlighter.
Also, you might consider products designed to help you look your best before the lens: NIOD Photography Fluid Opacity 12%/£20 for 30 ml at www.victoriahealth.com. This instant treatment serum contains a wide range of light refracting prisms, tone and hue correctors, plus topical photofinishing technologies to even out your skin tone, create brightness and, among other actions, black out redness.
If you’re travelling, take a tip from Victoria Beckham, who tweeted that This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up ‘does work – amazing!’. Think of it as a handbag-sized pick-me-up for tired skin, working as a mask, primer, moisturiser all in one/£33 for 50 ml from www.boots.com.