Although our social calendars have come to a temporary standstill, we’re left with an abundance of time that can be well spent preparing for the days when we can return to our glamorous makeup-wearing selves. And we’re not alone in this train of thought either—Victoria’s Secret Angel Karlie Kloss and Makeup Artist to the stars, Hung Vanngo, have recently shared with us their skin prepping secrets for creating runway-ready makeup.
Vanngo tells-all during a collaborated YouTube video over on Karlie’s channel ‘Klossy,’ emphasising the importance of exfoliating, SPF, and lymphatic draining that’ll have us rushing for the facial rollers in no time.
The video starts off with a fresh faced Karlie applying her favourite Estee Lauder Sugar Scrub treatment to her lips, a step that according to Vanngo, is frequently forgotten. “I think the best way is just exfoliating the lips and then applying a lip balm on top before you apply any makeup.” Mentions Vanngo, explaining that having a smooth base to work with is paramount to achieving any red carpet-worthy look.
For the first step of skincare, Vanngo applies an Emily Ratajkowski Loops Eye Mask, which uses a wrinkle-fighting concoction of niacinamide, retinol, and glycerin to depuff, smooth, and brighten the under eyes. Notably, Vanngo mentions that the trick with separate section sheet masks is to apply the under eye and lower face part before the upper, as it’ll prevent any slipping during the 10 minute application.
Once removing the Loops Weekly Reset sheet mask sections, an unusual step is revealed in the form of an Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion, which is the step before serum—who knew?—and a crucial step within Karlie’s regimen, noting that, “I love this as a kind of step before the cream and the serum to wake up the skin.” An integral part of the famed 12-step Korean skincare routine, essences play a major role in allowing active ingredients to fully penetrate the skin barrier, resulting in maximum absorption.
As an Estee Lauder brand ambassador, Karlie relies on their Advanced Night Repair range to keep her skin looking youthful and glowing while combating her tough work regime. And with the long hours, numerous makeup changes, and gruelling travel times, she needs an effective regime that works brilliantly every time.
While enjoying a thorough pampering using the Advanced Night Repair Serum and the Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex, Karlie delightedly exclaims, “It’s so so good for hydrating the skin, ANR is kind of deceiving because it stands for Advanced Night Repair serum, but we use it 24/7 and I use it any time of day or night.” With Vanngo nodding in agreement, adding “it’s great for the day.”
“People should always, always use some SPF after the moisturiser and before makeup.” Adds Vanngo, while massaging copious amounts of the Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Global Anti-Aging Cell Power Creme SPF 15through Karlie’s T-zone, explaining, “I put on plenty of moisturiser because I’m going to use a depuffing tool right after. If you don’t have the tool that I’m going to use, then you can use your fingers like this and give the face a little massage.”
The facial massage technique has been steadily gaining popularity over the years for its effective firming and lifting results, with stars such as Kourtney Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, and Romee Strijd frequently owing their youthful complexions to it. According to beauty retailer Cult Beauty, by using these tools and techniques it “brightens, tightens, drains toxins and reduces puffiness by encouraging blood flow and boosting the supply of vital nutrients and oxygen to your skin, enhancing a youthful, radiant glow.” No wonder they’re hooked.
While sculpting along Karlie’s mouth and jawline, Vanngo mentions, “you can feel right here on everyone’s face you create a lot of knots, and this way you can really just release everything.” Referring to lifting the neck using the Rose Quartz Gua Sha, Vanngo adds, “when you have a lot of tension, it’s actually best to pull the face in a way that isn’t natural, so it’s better to do.”
Pressing the importance of skin prep, Vanngo explains, “people always forget that stuff [skincare] and just jump into the makeup where they spend so much time doing the makeup but they forget that the skincare is so important beforehand.” And by the look of Karlie’s newly glowing post-facial treatment skin, we have to agree wholeheartedly.
Words by Vinona Baines
