Celebrity facialist Michaella Bolder breaks down her savvy summer skincare routine

Celebrity facialist and St Tropez ambassador Michaella Bolder has over a decade’s worth of experience working in the beauty industry.

The skincare guru also recently launched The Facial Box, full of her top sunshine-approved products designed to be your ultimate summer skincare kit. 

Here she shares why facial massage, acupuncture and double cleansing are key to looking after your skin in your 30s.

I start every morning with hot water and fresh lemon, followed by granola or an açai bowl with berries. 

My morning skincare starts with splashing my face 30 times in the morning with cold water using my hands to completely awaken my face and body. 

I use all the products in my facial box. I get straight in with my Rodial Pink Diamond cleansing balm, I always massage it into my skin to activate blood circulation and stimulate my facial muscles.

After a shower my skin is warm so I add La Mer Hydration serum and press it into my skin until absorbed. Day cream is next, I’ll use either Weleda Skinfood or Creme De La Mer moisturiser, I massage it into my skin for a good 30 seconds. A generous dose of Ultrasun 30 SPF follows, then I’ll spritz St Tropez Purity Face Mist for a natural glowy finish without the need for makeup, and lip balm. 

I don’t wear make up in the summer months, I always have a hint of tan on my skin to keep a glow all year round, no one ever knows! I use a dab of concealer under my eyes finished with a spritz mist or Gradual Face Tan blended into my skin with a large foundation brush to even the tone and leave it looking flawless before a dusting of blusher, mascara and lip balm. I like to mix an Illuminator into my day cream or over skincare sometimes to add light to my skin and always keep a face mist in my bag for a midday pick me up boost. 

I add in a dose of vitamin C serum three times a week after a cleanse. A good skincare tip is to keep your facial tools in the fridge during the summer to reduce puffiness and heat. I’ll always keep two teaspoons in the freezer ready to take out for those days with lack of sleep or puffiness around the eyes. It’s a genius way to shrink blood vessels around the eyes and make you look alive in minutes! Just place them cup side over your eyes after a sweep of eye cream or serum

As soon as I get home I change into a lounge suit, I don’t like the feeling of a dirty face and I like to get fresh skin hydrated as soon as I can after a busy day. Bedtime consists of brushing my teeth, a quick shower (using Sanex wash body wash only), a blast of body oil all over (currently Clarins) then jump into bed with a glass of water.

I always double cleanse in the evenings. ​I use the shower steam to really give my skin a good clean and when I have a spare slot in my facial room I might turn the steamer on and lay underneath it every so often.

I use a dose of lactic acid twice a week to stimulate cell turn over, I’ll always leave it on clean dry skin for five minutes before next product. Then it’s a hydration serum finished off with a facial oil massaged into my skin for a good 5-10 minutes (I usually apply my oil in bed so I can rest my head whilst I massage my face). I might also take out a gua sha at this point to drain fluid or toxins within my face. 

I don’t follow any diets or regimes when it comes to food as I travel a lot so food isn’t always convenient. I tend to eat as healthy as I can by choosing the right things to eat. I will take a protein shake out with me for a mid morning top up followed by protein at lunch time to keep my energy levels up.

Supplement-wise I take Vitamin C, probiotics, magnesium & zinc as well as collagen powder and maca in my shakes too. These all carry wonderful benefits for skin care health as well as inside my body and muscle repair.

I’ll only have one coffee a day and drown myself in water. Celery Juice is a great one to get your skin glowing, I like to pick up a green or carrot juice when I’m near a juice bar too.

I exercise three times a week and I like to mix it up with weights for toning and burning calories, HIIT sessions for cardio and yoga to stretch and loosen my muscles. 

Before I came into the skincare industry I honestly had no idea of the importance or how and what to do, luckily enough I was still young and had time on my side to not let any damage settle in. ​In my 20s I started looking after my skin but in a prevention type of way, protecting it from the sun, keeping it clean and adding lots of moisture and my 30s saw me reaching for richer serums, skin needling for rejuvenation, skin peels to stimulate cell turn over, facial oils and maintaining skin health.

My biggest self-care extravagance is purchasing skin care! I am a nightmare when I walk through any door that sells skincare or body care. Walk me past any pharmacy in the UK or abroad and you’ll loose me for 24 hours while I snoop around seeing what’s new and what ingredients are in products.

I also splurge on candles and love a body massage once a month as my treat from Haeckels in Margate, a moments drive from home. It helps me to switch off and relax. Pedicures are a regular treat, this happens once a month, depending where I am at the time it can be in Margaret Dabbs in Liberty or my local friend Emma in Canterbury.

I also have facial acupuncture with Steve in Zenergy Ramsgate once every every eight weeks and acupuncture with Emma Cannon in London as and when I need it. 

I love anything alternative and voodoo. Sound baths are incredibly relaxing, reiki healing is magical, acupuncture is lifting and stimulating and tuning forks are calming.