The Beauty Diary by Beck Sullivan: The easy, foolproof skincare guide for rookies

FORGET buying 57 different products. If you want to look great, these are the only ones you actually need.

BEAUTY is supposed to be fun and make us feel good, but sometimes it becomes confusing and exhausting.

Walking into Sephora or Mecca can feel completely overwhelming. What are all these new products I know nothing about but apparently desperately need?

One minute, you think you’re fine with your basic cleanse-moisturise-sunscreen routine.

Then some teenage Sephora employee comes along with a full face of incredible YouTube-worthy makeup she absolutely applied herself and starts talking you into buying a $150 “essence” that looks and feels exactly like tap water. It’s wild.

But really, none of that is necessary. Forget those crazy Korean skincare routines with 57 steps.

You only really need a few steps and a handful of products to be out the door quickly, looking like a snack.

Welcome to our super easy, step-by-step skincare guide for beauty beginners.

Missed last week’s column? Here are lots of fun, colourful products to put you in a good mood.

Welcome to News.com.au's weekly beauty column, The Beauty Diary.

STEP 1: CLEANSER

Everyone needs a good cleanser. You want one that can properly remove all your makeup plus oil from the day, without drying out your skin.

Many dermatologists recommend double cleansing. This literally means you cleanse your face twice. Once to remove the surface crap on top, then again to actually cleanse your skin.

You should definitely be cleansing at the end of the day, but it’s personal preference about whether you want to do so in the morning as well.

Some people don’t like stripping their face of its natural oils in the morning and simply splash with water. Or they’re just lazy. If that works for you, that’s totally fine.

Some people prefer to use an oil-based cleanser (such as the Dermalogica Pre-Cleanse, $63.50 from Mecca Maxima or Adore Beauty) or a balm (such as the Eve Lom Balm Cleanser, $168 from Mecca Cosmetica) for their first cleanse, then a “normal” cleanser after that.

Others just use oil cleansers for both steps. There’s no right or wrong. Completely depends on what you like best.

I’m sorry, makeup wipes don’t count as cleansing. They’re fine in emergencies when it’s 2am and you’re wasted, but you need to cleanse properly. Don’t hate me.

PRODUCT EXAMPLE: AVENE CLEANANCE CLEANSING GEL

Price: $24.95

Available from: Priceline, Chemist Warehouse

This Avene cleanser is perfect for getting every last scrape of oil and dirt off your face.

Plus, it’s pretty much always on sale for $19 at Chemist Warehouse and lasts forever.

This is a great everyday cleanser that gets rid of every scrap of grime.

STEP 2: EYE MAKEUP REMOVER

No matter how well you cleanse your face, those pesky bits of stubborn mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow always seem to hang around. But they can easily be removed with a cotton pad soaked in remover.

You don’t need anything fancy, just a bottle of any supermarket or chemist stuff. Sometimes I even use a few drops of oil.

BIODERMA SENSIBIO H2O MICELLE SOLUTION

Can be used as a makeup remover or a cleanser.

Price: $20 for 250ml, $30 for 500mL

Available from: Priceline, Chemist Warehouse

Some people use this as a cleanser — don’t ask me how or why, that seems crazy to me — but this classic French pharmacy product is great for gently removing eye makeup.

The best way to describe its consistency is oily water. It’s gentle, non-irritating and cheap.

STEP 3: TONER, ESSENCE OR MIST

Toners go onto the skin straight after cleansing and are designed to remove every last scrap of grime from your face, plus close pores and tighten them.

No, you don’t need one. If you’re lazy or already overwhelmed, this is a skincare step you can absolutely skip.

I use a toner morning and night because I love that squeaky clean feeling. Some people find them drying and irritating because they often contain alcohol. It’s purely a personal preference.

What about essences? They’re like toners in that they’re fancy waters you put on after cleansing. Some also have active ingredients and claim to do amazing stuff for your skin.

You also don’t need an essence. But if you’ve already got one you love and it works for you, that’s great. Keep doing you, girl.

PRODUCT EXAMPLE: MARIO BADESCU HYDRATING MIST

Nothing like a good spritz.

Price: $10

Available from: Mecca Maxima

If you’re wondering how all those hydrating mists on the market fit into things, they’re kind of like toners.

They are spritzed onto clean skin before the rest of your skincare routine. Plus you can give yourself another spray once your makeup is done, or throughout the day, for a little hydrating refresh.

This Mario Badescue spray is idiot-proof and smells very nice.

STEP 4: SERUM

This is where the magic happens and where you should be investing your money.

If you’re lazy, a teenager, strapped for cash or time-poor, you can skip this step.

But if you’re really keen to improve any issues you have with your skin, get ready to work.

Serums contain concentrated, active ingredients scientifically proven to make your skin look better.

They can be used in the mornings or evenings (or both) and go underneath your moisturiser/sunscreen during the day and underneath your moisturiser and/or night cream before bed.

Some people love to “cocktail” their serums and apply two or more at once, but I believe you can have too much of a good thing. Just pick one to apply each time you wash your face.

Side note: If you love face oils, this step is the time to apply those, underneath your moisturiser.

PRODUCT EXAMPLE: LA ROCHE POSAY HYALURONIC ACID + B5 SERUM

This is super hydrating and dewy.

Price: $55

Available from: Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, Adore Beauty

There are literally thousands of serums on the market, but picking the right one for you can be super tricky. Plus, serums are usually around $100-$150 from Mecca or Sephora. If the product doesn’t work for you, that’s an expensive mistake.

The one ingredient that works for absolutely everyone is hyaluronic acid. It’s a substance found naturally in our skin and can hold up to 1000 times its on weight in water, making it a great hydrating ingredient.

This serum from French brand La Roche Posay is perfect for dry skin. Layer it underneath your moisturiser or sunscreen either morning, night, or both.

STEP 5: MOISTURISE:

If all that chat about serums went over your head, forget it. Just focus on finding a moisturiser you love that works.

PRODUCT EXAMPLE: CLINIQUE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT MOISTURISING LOTION

A classic moisturiser perfect for people with oily skin.

Price: $29

Available from: Clinique online, Myer, David Jones, Sephora, Adore Beauty

This is a great one-size-fits-all moisturiser appropriate for day and night use. If you have teenagers or men in your life who always steal your products, this is perfect for everyone to share in the bathroom.

It’s just a good, inexpensive product in an easy pump bottle that does exactly what it says on the tin.

There are two versions — the gel and the lotion. The gel is lighter and better for oily skin and the lotion is heavier and more hydrating. Both are fantastic, just depends on what your skin wants.

STEP 6: EYE CREAM

Ah, the great eye cream debate. Do you really need a separate fancy moisturiser in an expensive pot just for your under-eye area?

The harsh truth is this: Yes, if you don’t want to look tired and old.

The skin under our eyes is thinner, more delicate and more prone to ageing than the rest of the skin on our face. An eye cream can help keep that area hydrated.

But let’s be real. Eye creams are not miracle workers and what they cannot erase are deep wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness and poor lifestyle choices.

PRODUCT EXAMPLE: KIEHL’S CREAMY AVOCADO UNDER-EYE CREAM

Finally! An eye cream that isn't super expensive.

Price: $44

Available from: Kiehl’s stores and online, Myer, David Jones, Adore Beauty

It’s so hard to find a cheap eye cream that works. This is super creamy and is great for keeping your under-eye area plump and awake.

PRODUCT EXAMPLE: ESTEE LAUDER ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR EYE CREAM

It's expensive but yes, it works.

Price: $105

Available from: Sephora, Myer, David Jones.

Yes, it’s pricey. But yes, it works.

STEP 7: SUNSCREEN

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: There is absolutely no point spending your money on fancy serums or in-salon treatments if you’re not wearing a sunscreen everyday.

Yes, everyday means even on cloudy days. The sun is the biggest cause of ageing and skin issues such as pigmentation, so wearing sunscreen is the best way to prevent bad skin.

No, your foundation with SPF 15 is not enough. This is because you don’t use enough of the product to adequately cover your face with the protection it needs.

Most dermatologists say the gold standard is SPF50 plus — here’s a link to seven great sunscreens for you to try.

PRODUCT EXAMPLE: MECCA COSMETICA TOO SAVE FACE 50-PLUS SUNSCREEN

Stop asking me if you REALLY need a sunscreen. You do. Sorry. End of story.

Price: $40 for 45ml or $18 for a mini 30ml travel tube

Available from: Mecca Cosmetica

I know I’ve mentioned this sunscreen before, but it really is the best one I’ve tried. It’s hydrating and contains skin-boosting ingredients hyaluronic acid, pomegranate extract and vitamin E.

Sometimes on lazy days or in summer when I’m more oily I just wash my face, apply this and head out the door. Super easy.

— This column is not sponsored and this is not advertorial content. Every review is independent, honest and ad-free.

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