Hello OP- My skin took quite a battering after I had my LO, I have made a few changes that have made a significant difference. Due to lots of problems since giving birth (namely the relentless backache!) and lack of sleep, I also drink shedloads of coffee, but these things below really have helped.
Skincare:
-Double cleansing: Hot cloth using an oil cleanser, followed by a balm.
-GENTLE toner type, (am using Boots Glycerine & Rose at the minute)
-Liz Earle eyebright soaked onto a cotton wool pad and placed over eyes. Really "wakes up" your eyes and gives the illusion of sleep!
-Serum (makes a massive difference) and really boosts/plumps up my skin.
-Daily moisturiser, mixed with a few drops of rosehip oil. Helps make-up glide on and also gives a glow look that lasts.
-Primer. This is a game changer in terms of how my foundation sits on my skin and also how it lasts as a base.
-Facial scrub a few times a month.
-Cleansing pads maybe once every 7-10 days (they're similar to Nip n Fab, but less astringent.
Night-time:
- Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream under eyes (this is a wonder product for me, I use it for everything from helping eyebrows and lashes to grow, to eradicate dry/eczema patches/lip balm/stops dry skin on hands blah blah
-Facial oil
-Night cream
Make-up wonder products I have discovered:
-Max Factor 3 in 1 serum foundation
-YSL Touche éclat foundation
-Christian Dior Forever foundation
-L'oreal Infallible ( i mix this with lightening drops as I'm too bloody pale)
-Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser : I use this on days when I want to rest my skin but don't want to go completely free of make-up. (Working from home days/Weekends etc)
-Becca under eye brightener ( I honestly cannot recommend this enough)
-Benefit eyebright (brow bone / inner eye)
-Boots 17 Lip and Cheek gel -gives a lovely sheer wash of colour with a great sheen/glow and then I don't "need" highlighter
-I use a facial oil sometimes on my cheekbones (where you would put highlighter), makes skin glow and look healthier.
-I use as little powder as possible all over my face, it just clogs and sits wrong on my skin.
Hope some of these help!?
Quick question: How are you APPLYING your make-up? There are a few tricks you can follow to get rid of dark circles and stop concealer sitting in creases under your eyes -very effective and lasts well too.
Diet is of course important, I eat a pretty balanced diet, don't eat processed stuff and rarely drink. I notice a decline in my skin if I stop greens and similar for a couple of days... I should drink more water/ less coffee, but hey we all do what we need to in order to get through the day..