Makeup and skin care
Her beauty go-tos
Stage performer Elle Young has danced alongside the greatness of Mary J. Blige and Rihanna and let us in on the fact that as a performer, you’re often left to your own devices in the makeup department.
So what has she learned? She is an active girl and a spa junkie and luckily offered us some backstage beauty tips that can help your skin keep up with an active lifestyle.
SheKnows: What are a few beauty tricks you’ve learned backstage?
Elle Young: A good setting powder lessens or eliminates the need for constant touchups. Blotting papers are the best because they’re small, barely remove your makeup and get rid of sweat/shine with a quick dab. A creamy red or pink lipstick can make an awesome blush substitute. Baby oil is an awesome makeup remover. I also keep extra makeup sponges for touchups so that I’m not getting a lot of oil and sweat buildup on my regular brushes. That way I increase the lifespan of my expensive brushes by not having to clean them so much.
SheKnows: What are your favorite dramatic makeup looks?
Young: I love, love, love the ’60s look. So, double eyelashes, heavy dark eyeshadow with white eyeliner, mascara on the lower lashes and a nude lip. I love to use black and royal navy for my smoky eye look and a good blender brush is the key to getting the colors to mix so seamlessly. I use Q-Tips to create clean edges and remove excess shadow. Then I use concealer under the eye for contouring.
SheKnows: As a dancer, you know what it’s like to sweat. How do you still keep your skin looking great while being so active?
Young: Cleansing! Almost as soon as I’m offstage, I’m grabbing a baby wipe or makeup remover cloth to get everything off my face. On tour I always carry a travel size Clean & Clear Morning Burst in my bag to wash my face at the venue. Also, when there’s time, I try to make sure to get a facial every six weeks. Most importantly, I drink a lot of water and use moisturizer to keep my skin hydrated.
“I love, love,
love the ’60s look.”
Read more: The best hairstyles for breaking a sweat >>
“The most useful tip from my esthetician is to sleep face up whenever possible.”
SheKnows: As a spa junkie, what’s your favorite treatment and place to splurge? Have you learned any valuable tips from spa technicians?
Young: If I had to choose, it would be a complete body scrub followed by a Vichy shower. I enjoy going to Glen Ivy in Corona or Two Bunch Palms in Hot Springs since they have outdoor mud treatments and great products.
The most useful tip that I’ve gotten from my esthetician is to sleep face up whenever possible to decrease puffiness around the eyes and breakouts. Exfoliate two to three times per week and find a good nighttime serum to replenish lost nutrients while sleeping.
SheKnows: What products are part of your everyday skin care routine?
Young: Foaming cleanser, toner, eye cream, vitamin C serum and moisturizer with UV protection.
SheKnows: What beauty touch-up products do you never leave home without?
Young: Lip balm, a travel size hand/body lotion and sun block.
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