Beauty confidential: How Elle stays so peachy... and other celebrity skin secrets

By Elsa Mcalonan

Last updated at 10:05 AM on 24th November 2011

They are the facialists with magic fingers, and celebrity clients, and as the countdown to Christmas begins they reveal the best ways to get fabulous festive skin in just a month. Even if you try one a week, you’re sure to see a difference by December 25.

Fresh-faced: Elle Macpherson's skin specialist recommends nourishing your skin by massaging in hydrating serums at night, which allows the ingredients to be absorbed properly

‘The first product to get right is your cleanser,’ says Vaishaly, whose signature facial has many fans, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Elle Macpherson.

She recommends an oil-based cleanser for all skin types to remove make-up and products that can build up on the skin’s surface. ‘This immediately restores the natural balance of the skin, leaving it comfortable, not dry or tight,’ she says.

Try Vaishaly Cleansing Balm, ?79 (vaishaly.com).

BEST TIP: Nourish your skin by massaging in hydrating serums at night, which allows the ingredients to be absorbed properly. This will also stimulate the circulation and even-out skin tone. Or if you are on a budget massage almond oil into your skin before you go to bed. Try Care Almond Oil, ?1.59 (Boots).

‘Try a product which will gently exfoliate the skin on a daily basis to prevent the build-up of dull and dead skin, suggests Debbie Thomas, a skincare expert who blends traditional facial techniques with advanced technology in her facials at Hari’s in London. Her fans include Sophie Dahl  and Zoe Ball. Debbie recommends SkinCeuticals Retexturising Activator, ?67.99 (05603 141 956) which is also excellent for hydrating the skin.

BEST TIP: Use a rich moisturiser to combat drying cold winds and central heating. The Swiss superbrand Valmont has some of the most nurturing moisturisers around. Try their Nature Moisturizing with Cream, ?74.08 (essentialdayspa.com).

‘A home massage is one of the most effective ways to invigorate the skin and achieve a gorgeous glow,’ claims Joelle Poulin, head therapist at the Carita Maison de Beaute in Paris. ‘Use a moisturiser suited to your skin type and, with your fingertips, apply gentle pressure to the face. Begin with the neck and work down to the d?collet? in small, circular motions. When moisturising the face always apply the cream in upwards, circular movements, this helps to lift the skin. Use your ring finger, so you don’t apply too much pressure and work from the inner corner at the bridge of the nose outwards towards the ear. This will encourage drainage and helps to de-puff the eyes.’

BEST TIP: For an instant eye lift effect, try the new Carita Supreme Wrinkle Solution Eye Contour Patches, ?45 for 5 pairs (carita.co.uk). They instantly cool and calm the eye area giving you rested and radiant-looking eyes.

‘Use a moisturiser that is loaded with hyaluronic acid’, recommends Michelle Peck, who counts Madonna as a client. ‘This ingredient is a fantastic hydrator because it can hold up to 3,000 times its weight in water, so it really quenches thirsty, dry skin.’

Her recommendation? Intraceuticals Daily Serum, ?192.95 (intraceuticals.co.uk). ‘It’s a wonderful all-round serum packed with hyaluronic acid that works well on your face, but also your neck, decolletage, hands and knees,’ she explains.

BEST TIP: ‘To help stop my hair and skin drying out too much, I sleep on a silk pillow case, a tip passed on to me from my grandmother, who had barely any wrinkles. It means I get a few extra days out of my blow dry, which is essential during any packed pre-Christmas schedule.’ Try: Silkskin Original Silk Pillowcase, ?36 (victoriahealth.com).

From left: Care Almond Oil, SkinCeuticals Retexturising Activator and Skinesis Eye Recovery

‘A good way to boost your skin’s circulation is to freeze some hydrating toner or floral water in an ice cube tray and pop one out to rub over the skin when you need an extra glow,’ advises Julia Hart, whose Shinso Natural Facelift (?290 at London’s Hale Clinic, haleclinic.com) has been described as the ultimate in skin rejuvenation. ‘Wrap muslin or cotton wool around the ice cube. The coldness will stimulate the circulation and reduce puffiness.’ Try Boots Traditional Glycerin and Rosewater, ?2.32.

BEST TIP: Mix technology with high-tech skincare — combine the electric Clarisonic Skincare Brush, pictured (Clarisonic Classic, ?155; spacenk .co.uk) with exfoliator Shinso Glow, ?155 (shinso.co.uk), to buff skin to perfection. Shinso fans include Eva Longoria, Jennifer Aniston and Charlize Theron.

‘Rescue parched skin with an at-home remedy mask,’ suggests Sarah Chapman, whose High Definition Facial (?130) is loved by Queen Rania of Jordan and actress Naomi Watts. ‘Use ingredients which contain nourishing vitamins, anti-oxidants, natural soothers and exfoliators. Honey is a natural moisturiser and milk, natural yoghurt and bananas are perfect for nourishing and soothing the skin. Mix together to create a paste, gently rub over the skin and leave for 15 minutes to allow it to be absorbed.’

BEST TIP: Encourage a little light drainage around the eyes, using the tips of your fingers to lightly tap over the area. Using your eye product as a mask, such as Skinesis Eye Recovery, ?39 (spacenk.co.uk) will help boost your skin and get rid of tiredness.

Star buy: GlamGlow Mud Mask is great for fighting breakouts

‘It’s a myth that the more you scrub the more refreshed your skin will look — over-exfoliating will do more harm than good,’ cautions Marie Reynolds, head of international education for Eve Taylor Skincare, whose clients include TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher. ‘Use a gentle scrub, twice a week. Eve Taylor’s Exfoliating Scrub, ?10.69 (eve-taylor.com) has bamboo micro beads to gently slough away dead skin.

‘Or try a cream exfoliator with alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) — such as Mario Badescu Rolling Cream Peel, ?16.25, beautybay.com — which will dissolve the glue-like substance that holds dulling skin cells together and make them easier to remove.’

BEST TIP: Don’t forget to include the neck and d?collet? in your skin care routine as these will be on show, too. Keep the delicate skin in these areas well-moisturised and glowing — look for a body moisturiser with light reflecting particles such as Vitamin E Shimmer Body Lotion, ?2.99, Superdrug, to give a party glow for nights out.

‘Most people suffer from bad skin from time to time, says Una Brennan, beautician to Sienna Miller and Laura Bailey. ‘If the breakout is a hardened painful swelling under the skin, don’t touch it, it will just make a mess. Instead, use a cold compress on it to bring the swelling down and send excess blood supply away from the area and apply a good clay mask, such as the SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque, ?45 (05603 141 956) or GlamGlow Mud Mask, ?69 (blissworld.co.uk).’

BEST TIP: Drink this antioxidant-rich juice to pep-up your skin. You need: 2 apples, 1 stick celery, 1 carrot, a handful of spinach, 1in ginger, 1 lemon, handful sprouts (anything but alfalfa), 1in courgette, 1in cucumber, 1 beetroot or half a large beetroot.

Put everything into a juicer and blend with an avocado and two spoonfuls of flaxseed. It sounds like a lot of ingredients, but you’ll notice how much brighter your skin and eyes are immediately.

It’s been heralded one of this year’s skincare successes. Superdrug’s budget grape cells range sold out in just two days when first launched in August. The products include a collagen-stimulating complex using grape cells to protect and strengthen skin cells and prevent premature ageing.

We asked four readers to put the Optimum Super Antioxidant Grape SPF15 Day Cream, ?12.99; Night Cream, ?10.99 and Eye Cream, ?9.99, to the test.

Natural selection: Optimum Super Antioxidant Grape range was well-received by our readers

Angela Nicholls, 40, Liverpool.
I thought these products were great value. All the creams were light and they’ve lasted for ages. I haven’t noticed a huge difference in my wrinkles, but my skin is smoother and healthier looking. 8/10

Jane Parsons, 28, Lancashire
I found these creams weren’t rich enough for me. I have quite dry skin and like to feel as though my skin’s getting a good ‘drink’. 6/10

Chloe Goodison, 32, London
I enjoyed being able to use a whole range of a brand and the price is great. My skin is prone to breakouts but the creams didn’t irritate me. I loved the night cream. 9/10

Anne Deeney, 51, Glasgow
These creams worked really well. There were no miraculous improvements, but my skin definitely looked more dewy and hydrated. The eye cream is lovely and light and didn’t make my eyes puffy. 9/10