My day in beauty with Courtney Smith: ‘I take the same skin supplement as Victoria Beckham…’

Courtney Smith is one of Ireland’s most prominent and talented stylists, creative directors and fashion writers, and she’s also the brains (and braun) responsible for #BehindtheSeams, the incredible Image x Samsung project that aired recently. But her make-up and skin routine has intrigued me for a long time – always looking flawless on and off camera, I asked Courtney to give me the low-down…

“I definitely have a better evening routine than morning routine, as I am usually up early to the gym so tend to take a few shortcuts. But I am sure to always cleanse as soon as I wake up. After the gym I would do a light cleanse again in the shower and I use the Alumier SPF 42 moisturiser every morning,” says Courtney.

“I take a skin supplement called ’Skinade’ every day, it’s the same one that Victoria Beckham takes, so if it’s good enough for VB… I keep the little sachets in my bag to make sure I take it,” Courtney told me. “I also have a hydrating and toning spray by Seavite at my desk to ‘refresh’ my skin during the day if it needs it, and I always try to get two litres of water a day – when I don’t my skin tends to break out.”

Courtney’s Skin Picks:

Cleanser – Acne Clarifying or Gel Purifying cleansers by Alumier MD (I alternate depending on my skin)
Toner – Seavite Toning Sea Spray
Moisturiser – Seavite Super Nutrient face cream
Serum – Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
Eye cream – Alumier MD AluminEye brightening cream
Mask – Creme De La Mer or Summer Friday JETLAG mask
Hand cream – L’Occitane Shea butter hand cream
Body cream: Seavite Super Intense Body Moisturiser
Sheet mask – Neutrogena Hydro Boost Sheet masks

1. Seavite Toning Sea Spray, €25
2. Alumier MD Acne Clarifying Cleanser, €37
3. Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil, €45

“Make-up artist Christine Lucignano introduced me to Drunk Elephant products which you can get in Space N.K; she uses the facial oil on models when prepping their skin on shoots for a dewy glow. I now use the same oil daily after my usual cleanse, tone and moisturise routine and it makes such a difference to my skin for a luminosity and glow.”

Courtney’s Top Skin Tip:

“Invest in talking and listening to a professional skincare expert such as a dermatologist … whether you have problematic skin or not there is so much science behind products and what your skin requires.”

Courtney’s Make-up Picks:

Foundation – Make Up For Ever Water Blend or Becca Cosmetics Aqua luminous
Mascara – Benefit BadGal lashes
Lipliner – Supersize Me by Charlotte Tilbury
Brows – The Brow Contour Pro Pen from Benefit
Blusher – Stila Convertible Colour cheek stain
Palette/eyeshadow – Chanel Les Beige
Powder – Hourglass Ambient Powder
Lipstick – Sexy Sienna by Charlotte Tilbury with Bourjois Rouge Velvet Lip Stain underneath
Bronzer – Chanel Soleil Tan
Perfume – French Leather by MEMO Paris (smells kinda like a hot dude – in a good way)

1. Make Up For Ever Water Blend Foundation, €41
2. Memo Paris French Leather Eau de Parfum, €205
3. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lipstick in Sexy Sienna, €32

Courtney’s Top Make-Up Tip:

“This is something I learnt when I got older but less is definitely more! Less product, less colour, less everything… let your natural beauty shine as much as possible.”

Courtney’s Hair Picks:

Shampoo and Conditioner- Neutrogena Triple Moisture
Mask – Moroccan Oil restorative or hydrating mask
Hairspray – Kevin Murphy Session Spray or Bedroom Hair
Texture spray – Moroccan Oil Texture Spray
Brushes – I use the FARO paddle brush – it’s the only brush I own
Tools – I use the Dyson hairdryer (I have a lot of hair and it dries it super fast) and I use a GHD to create soft beachy waves.

1. Neutrogena Triple Moisture Shampoo, €13
2. Kevin Murphy Session Spray, €24
3. Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray, €21.45

“For me, the GHD has remained the best heated hair tool on the market – I’ve seen loads of variations of heat tools come in and out of the market but I find it the easiest to use and always gives me the perfect wave/bed head that I strive for,” says Courtney.

Courtney’s Top Hair Tip:

“Don’t dye it yourself – leave that to the professionals!”