"How Beauty Vlogger Nikki French Uses Skin Care to Elevate Her Beauty Routine "

Beauty vlogger Nikki French does not take her daily skin care routine lightly. Maintaining a gorgeous-looking complexion is the foundation for her exquisite (read: mesmerizing) makeup looks—and her self-proclaimed high maintenance skin care routine helps her put her best face forward and achieve a camera-ready glow.

In the mornings, French completes her skin care routine as soon as possible so the products have time to fully absorb before her makeup application. Like us, she’s a big fan of hyaluronic acid and uses a hyaluronic acid serum to jumpstart her routine in the AM. Next, she applies a skin care oil that helps nourish her dry skin, and follows up with applications of a lightweight eye cream and moisturizer. Once it’s time for her to apply her makeup—typically about an hour or so later—French likes to refresh her complexion with a makeup setting spray first. This helps ensure a soft, smooth, and hydrated base for her makeup application.

In the evening, French double cleanses her skin with grapeseed oil and a water-based cleanser, paired with her Clarisonic cleansing brush. “I love grapeseed oil for taking off my makeup,” French says. “It’s super inexpensive, and it helps to remove waterproof mascara.” Once her complexion is cleansed, she applies her go-to hyaluronic acid serum again, followed by an anti-aging serum and retinol product. Then, she tops things off with a thicker moisturizer and a few coats of eyelash and brow serum—one of her must-tries!—and calls it a night. In addition to her nighttime routine, French is a huge fan of facial masks and prefers to use hydrating formulas every other day (sheet masks are her go-to!). She also likes to give her complexion a deeper clean once a month with a clay mask formulated with charcoal.

Outside of her traditional skin care routine, French also likes to incorporate skin care products in her makeup application for dewy-looking skin. One of her go-to beauty hacks calls for Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Clarity-Activating Toner, which she received complimentary from the brand. “I found that after you set your under-eye [area] with powder, you can take a little bit of the toner, dampen your beauty [blending sponge] with it and [tap] it underneath your eyes,” says French. The result of this beauty vlogger-approved makeup hack? Flawless, airbrushed-looking under-eyes that appear hydrated and more awake. Another skin care-inspired makeup hack she likes to incorporate in her beauty routine? Applying a hydrating lip gloss to “the very high point of [the] Cupid’s bow and the very low point of [the] bottom lip” for a pout that appears youthful and fresh!

Love French’s beauty tips as much as we do? Check out some of her video tutorials detailing makeup and skin care hacks—plus her gorgeous beauty looks—here!