An Australian beauty PR shares her top beauty tips!

One of the biggest perks of running a beauty PR agency? The never-ending fabulous beauty products landing on my desk. Let’s just say, I haven’t had to buy shampoo, mascara, lip balm, face cream, serum, or body cream in 20 years. I know – don’t hate me. I feel ridiculously lucky!

With the sheer number of products I’ve tested and all the advice I’ve gathered from beauty pros over the years, it’s no surprise I get hit up for beauty tips all the time. At least once a week, a friend slides into my DMs asking for advice. And honestly? I LOVE it. Sharing my beauty wisdom is one of my favourite things to do.

The questions range from the classics – “What are your top tips?”- to the fun ones like, “What’s trending right now?” or “What would you pack for a desert island?”.

So, here we go – here are my top five ride-or-die beauty tips – the ones I swear by and rave about to anyone who’ll listen.

1. Get yourself a hydrating tinted lip balm – stat!

If you haven’t hopped on this trend yet, let me introduce you to 2024’s biggest beauty must-have. Hydrating tinted lip balms are the new status symbol of the beauty world. Gone are the days when you had to choose between colour and hydration; now you can have both! Thank Hailey Bieber’s Rhode and Summer Fridays for kicking off this obsession a few years ago and it’s now here to stay.

Why do I love these little multitaskers? Not only do they keep your lips hydrated and add a pop of colour, but they also double (or triple!) as blush, eyeshadow, and even a cute rosy highlight for the tip of your nose. The NEW Dermal Therapy Tinted Lip Balm in Rose Pink is my current fave as it’s not sticky, gives a great wash of colour and is long lasting – plus of course super hydrating to keep my lips (and cheeks!) in check!

2. A great cleanser is your skin’s best friend

Cleansing is skincare 101. A good cleanser is the backbone of any routine, and you should be doing it twice a day. Once in the morning in the shower for a quick pick me up and then of course again at night to wash off dirt, grime, and makeup. But remember your face shouldn’t feel squeaky clean afterwards as that’s a sign you’re stripping your skin’s natural oils. Look for gentle cleansers with hydrating ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid.

And my pro tip here – people always ask me if they should go budget or bougie with a cleanser.  Personally, I think you can save your pennies for the hard hitter’s aka retinols and Vitamin C and for products that penetrate the skin and not on those that get washed down the sink.  And remember, move away from those cleansing wipes – they are for festival and flights and NOT for everyday use! 

My current favourite is the new Dermal Therapy Very Dry Face Cleanser – gentle but super hydrating for my very dry skin and won’t break the bank!

3. Collagen: Apply it, drink it, boost it

As someone in her mid-40s (hi, collagen depletion), I’m doing everything I can to hold onto what I’ve got and bring some back. Why? Because collagen keeps your skin plump, smooth, and firm so my advice is to try every avenue to repair and restore it as much as you can.

Here’s my three-pronged approach:

Apply it – Look for skincare that has collagen as an ingredient (sheet and overnight masks are my personal fave)

Drink it – Marine-based collagen powder supplements are the gold standard and consistency is key – make sure you drink it everyday

Boost it – Skin needling is my holy grail treatment at the moment. It stimulates collagen production, firms up your skin, and gives you a healthy glow. Yes, it’s an investment, but it’s so worth it. I go to The Skin Bar, and they’re the absolute best in the biz

4. Hydrate and get outside

Yes, it’s cliché, but drinking water and getting fresh air daily is essential. Hydration isn’t just about glowing skin – it keeps your whole body running smoothly and stepping outside, even for 20 minutes, works wonders for your mood and well-being.

I’m an early morning walker these days (thank you teenage kids who refuse to get up for school), and these early starts have become my favourite part of the day. After my walk, I down a big glass of water to kickstart my system. Some days are better than others with how much I consume, but I feel and look better when I drink more water that’s for sure.

• Supplements for a healthy gut and better sleep

I’m currently obsessed with reading self-help books and those that are educating me on our bodies and how we can optimise its function.  So, my non-negotiable supplements to make me feel and look better is a morning pro-biotic tablet and magnesium powder before bed.  So why?

• Promotes good gut health – your gut affects everything, from your skin to your mood to your energy levels so I start my day by taking a good-quality probiotic in the morning on an empty stomach (the refrigerated ones are the best)
• Aids a restful sleep – magnesium powder taken before bed helps me with stress, balances insulin, calms my nervous system, and relaxes my muscles for a better night’s sleep.

Written by Lucy Brooks – a senior PR executive with over 25 years of beauty and lifestyle agency experience spanning Australia and the UK.  Founder director of beauty PR agency, Little Bird PR