After 43 years on this planet - almost half of those working in the beauty industry - I thought I knew the ins-and-outs of skin better than the average person.
I was certain I knew exactly what my own skin needed, liked and agreed with. I had it sorted.
Then, things changed.
I'm not talking about the natural developments that come along with the privilege of ageing - I knew lines and uneven tone would incrementally increase - the change is more around what my skin is 'asking for'.
I've always had a combination complexion, and still do. Oily on my forehead, around the folds of my nose and on my chin, and drier towards the outer part of my face.
While that hasn't changed, I recently realised my failsafe morning skincare steps weren't cutting it anymore.
Watch: Leigh shares her new favourite moisturiser for plump skin. Post continues below.
Maybe it's peri, or stress, or the fact I haven't slept more than five hours a night for as long as I've had an Oura Ring - or a combination of all those things.
Ordinarily, I'd keep the layers under my SPF super simple, because any skincare steps more than a water-like texture would result in way too much shine. I saved my hardcore, hard-working serums and creams for before bed, when I was happy to hit the pillow feeling like a freshly glazed donut.
That approach was also partly because I created radiance with my makeup. If I went light on the serums and used a matte SPF, I could go to town with dewy foundation and luminous base products.
Now, my skin is telling me that although it's committed to being combo for the foreseeable future, it would like a little more love in the mornings. It doesn't want heavy creams or thick oils, but it needs a little more in the way of nourishment.
Because the line between dewy and greasy is paper thin for me, I knew in order to feed my skin more goodness twice a day (not just at night ) I'd have to lay off the glowy makeup a little. After all, every single layer you apply to your face is like an ingredient in the recipe for your overall result.
So, I flipped it. More nourishing skincare steps before sunscreen, still with thinner textures. Less super dewy makeup, more velvety formulas.
My new skincare + makeup recipe. Image: Supplied.
It was important I tweaked my base choices along with my serums because when I didn't, the overall 'glow' would grease-up too much… and nobody has time to tap translucent powder down the centre of their face every 30 minutes.
It would be remiss of me to point out that I'm in the unusual and privileged position of getting paid to trial lots of beauty products.
Because that's my job, I've been able to play with lots of skincare and makeup to find combinations that work well together to give me good glow.
While I was initially annoyed that the approach I've never had to question started to fail me, it has been fun reaching for skincare steps and makeup formulas I wouldn't have ordinarily been drawn to.
Here are some products that play nice in my new face recipe.
Current morning skincare favourites.
Paula's Choice Nourishing Milky Toner, $39.
A toner or an essence is a fantastic way to layer hydration without piling on thick formulas.
And no, toners are not astringent or stripping - many of them are packed full of nourishment. This is one of those, it's delicious.
The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner, $24.
This is another fantastic toner that does a lot of heavy lifting considering its lightweight texture.
It has super mild exfoliating properties so it's gonna make you feel super smooth, but it will still help heaps with hydration, I promise. It's so mild it's even fine for sensitive skin.
Naturium Barrier Bounce, $47.95.
Launching on Sephora Australia on October 9th, I panicked when I could no longer find this pretty purple bottle on the Naturium Australia website.
Dubbed an 'advanced skin hydrator', it's a serum-oil hybrid with the most unique texture. Thin like a fluid but incredibly nourishing with a finish that leaves skin dewy all day long.
Trinny London Take Back Time Skin Vitality Elixir, $165.
When I read the words 'Instantly transform dull, dehydrated skin into skin that feels and looks full of life' on the back of the bottle I couldn't get this onto my skin fast enough.
Hydration is sufficient enough for me, however it also layers beautifully under other serums without creating too much shine.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum, $249.
This still works for me, which is devastating for my bank account. I used to apply two, maybe three drops because it's bloody expensive.
Now I'm using five or six, which means I'll go through a bottle at double the rate, but my skin loves what my skin loves.
The best satin foundations for a velvet finish.
Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation, $25.99.
The product name says 'dewy', but I personally find this formula gives a beautiful velvet finish.
The 'smooth' claim is definitely on point, providing a blurred effect a bit like you've used a primer underneath. Coverage is impressive - a little goes a long way.
Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Perfect Natural Finish Longwear Foundation, $36.
Available in 40 shades, this liquid foundation is the Goldilocks of formulas - not too dewy but not too matte.
Coverage starts out medium but is easily buildable in the areas you require high coverage. I usually use my fingers for foundation, but find the finish of this one best when blended with a brush.
Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation, $15.
Catrice launched in Priceline recently, making it finally available in Australia. I am very into this affordable German makeup brand that was created two decades ago.
With a few foundations top pick from, HD Liquid Coverage is a high coverage option that's probably the most matte on my list. The formula is surprisingly thin, a bit like a serum. It's very unique.
Makeup Forever HD Skin Foundation, $74.
I used to reach for the Hydra Glow variant of this foundation, however with my current dewier skincare tweaks, the original HD Skin version is working well for me.
They call it a 'true-to-skin' finish which means it looks pretty natural in terms of coverage and finish. I wear it sparingly for medium coverage and agree, it's pretty great.
Clarins Skin Illusion Velvet Foundation, $65.
If you're keen on a velvet finish but want to go light on the actual coverage, this foundation is perfect.
It's matte but not in a chalky or cakey way - instead it feels as though it gives the skin a wash of colour that unifies the complexion. You kinda forget you've got it on, and it doesn't move all day.
For more tried and tested beauty recommendations, listen to the You Beauty podcast below or watch You Beauty on YouTube.
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Image: Supplied.
