When your colleagues skin keeps glowing through long days, early starts, and the kind of TV makeup that should sabotage anyone’s complexion, you pay attention. I sat down with Michaela to get the inside scoop on her skincare routine, from morning must-haves to nighttime rituals, she spills all the secrets behind her flawless skin.
Q: Your skin looks incredible even on the longest TV days. Where does your routine start?
A: In the morning, I always start my day with cleansing, and I just love the Collagene Expert Phyto Radiance Cleanser. It lathers into a gorgeous, creamy foam, and even on days when I’ve had barely any sleep, it makes my skin feel instantly alive, soft, bright, and ready for the day. I often have to wear heavy makeup for TV, and at the end of a long day this cleanser just effortlessly melts it all away. I follow with the Gentle Silk Toner. I used to skip this step completely, but as I’m getting older this soothing toner helps rebalance and refresh my skin. It’s a new addition for me, but now I’m obsessed; my skin feels instantly comforted.
Q: You’ve got a reputation for being fiercely loyal to Hydra Essence. What makes it a non-negotiable in your routine?
A: If I had to choose just one skincare product for the rest of my life, it would be Collagene Expert Hydra Essence – it is my ultimate desert island pick. Not only does it deeply hydrate and brighten my skin, but it also supercharges everything I layer on top, making all my other products work that much harder. Honestly, once you try it, you’ll be hooked.
Q: Tell me about your favourite morning serum.
A: I’m obsessed with the Age Benefit Youth Revitalising Oil Serum which is a weightless bi-phase formula with both an oil and a serum phase, so you’re getting double the goodness and benefits. It’s packed with Centella Asiatica to calm my redness, a medley of vitamins to give me that lit-from-within glow, and age-defying actives to keep my skin looking youthful. It’s like giving your face a daily multivitamin and really, who wouldn’t sign up for that!
Q: How do you keep your eyes looking so fresh and flawless?
A: Morning and night, I make a point of using a separate eye cream morning and evening because the skin here is delicate and shows the first signs of ageing, so it’s worth it. I love the Age Benefit Advanced Eye Serum, and it has a cooling applicator making it super quick to use, plus contains clever peptide technology which freezes my lines, tackles under-eye puffiness, and keeps my eyes looking fresh and on point.
Q: What’s your go-to daytime moisturiser?
A: Definitely the Collagene Expert Smoothing Ceramide Cream. The texture is decadent but not too heavy giving ultra-hydrating, skin-smoothing goodness. Formulated with three different types of collagen, I’m essentially collagen-banking now that I’ve hit my 40s, and it doubles as a perfect base for makeup and the ideal finish to my daytime routine.
Q: Your skin always looks so flawless on camera. What’s your secret?
A: Two to three times a week I swap out my usual serum for the Golden Glow Gradual Tan Face Serum, which gives me that perfect sun kissed look while evening out my skin tone and masking any flaws. Some tan products can be drying or give that dreaded orange effect, but this one is different because it contains seven types of hyaluronic acid and just a touch of DHA, so it’s hydrating, customisable, and totally genius.
Q: Do you switch up your skincare products at night?
A: Yes, since we launched our dedicated nighttime products, I’ve been using them religiously. The Collagene Expert Hydra Essence Night Recovery and Age Benefit Night Renewal Cream are packed with ingredients designed to help my skin repair and regenerate while I sleep. With my hectic work schedule, I don’t always get a full eight hours, so I love that these products can step in and support my skin even when I’m running on fumes.
Q: How do you feel about using oils as part of your evening skincare?
A: Now that the weather’s turning colder, my skin can get pretty dry, so using an oil is a really nourishing way to restore comfort. The Defi Lift Firming Facial Oil is like a little pamper session - it’s ultra-nutritive but not at all greasy and it’s also packed with firming actives, so my skin feels really cared for and I can feel it restoring the elasticity at the same time.
Q: From a beauty therapist’s perspective, which part of a skincare routine do most people overlook?
A: I would say exfoliation which is key for removing the dead skin cells that build up on the surface, and it’s a fast-track way to bring radiance back to dull skin. Back in the day, exfoliators were full of harsh granules that could be scratchy and irritating, but now most are formulated with fruit acids that gently melt away dead skin. Our Radiance-Enhancing Gommage is an absolute icon and a pleasure to use because its granular free. It melts away dulling dead skin cells in minutes and leaves skin ultra-soft, smooth, and refreshed – oh and the scent is divine too with a gorgeous burst of citrus.
Q: Have you got any quick fixes for making your skin look camera-ready when you’re having an off day?
A: Honestly, it has to be the Miracle Eye Contour Cream which is a brilliant cross between skincare and makeup. It basically hides every little imperfection on my skin and instantly makes me look fresh and camera-ready, even on those ‘blah’ days.
Q: "As a final question, do you have a favourite body product, and what do you love about it?
A: I love all Gatineau body products because each brings something special, but the AHA Body Lotion has been my daily go-to for over 15 years and it just makes my skin feel amazing every time I use it. It comes with an easy pump, so no fuss and is packed with fruit acids which help refine skin texture and smooth out any lumps or bumps. Lightweight but seriously effective this stuff doesn’t just sit there; it works.