What is it about Dutch girls and great skin? Seriously? It doesn’t just glow, it radiates with the kind of wellness I could only achieve after a month long juice detox and a healthy dose of St Tropez. At first glance, you might put the wholesome complexions of Dutch beauties Doutzen, Gigi, Bella (and co) down to their supermodel status, but even in the flawless world of modelling, Dutch supers have a quality of skin that makes them stand out from the pack. And a stroll down any of Amsterdams ‘De Negen Straatjes’ is enough to convince you that if they’re not putting something in the water here, then these women have a serious skincare habit. Here’s what I know so far…
By Liz Hambleton
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1 They swear by a splash of ice cold water
Oh how we want that just-hiked-up-a-mountain flush of vitality that all Dutch girls seem to have. And ok, maybe mountains are in short supply in Holland but you get the idea. One of the glowiest (and fittest) dutch girls on Instagram, Romee Strijd swears by a daily splash of ice cold water to breath a bit of new life into her morning complexion. The colder the better people, so be bold. Add a few ice cubes to a bowl of water and splash at will.
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2 Oxygen facials are their ultimate skin fix
If Dutch girl skin is anything, it's glowy and nothing leaves you more fresh faced than an infusion of the big O. A little over-looked in the light of recent facial-tech trends, the treatment is available as both a quick fix and as part of a traditional facial. Pressurised oxygen is pumped onto the skin leaving it hydrated, smooth and glowing with radiance. The sultrier (And half dutch) Hadid sister, Bella, swears by Oxygen facials and embarked on a course before her debut in the recent Victoria's Secret show.
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3 Foodie face masks work a treat
We've all heard about the wonders of home made facial fixes but how many of us have actually rolled our sleeves up in the kitchen and got involved? From hydrating Avocado to exfoliating Himalayan Salt, Dutch women know how to make food work for their skin. Model of the moment Imaan Hammam recently told www.vogue.com she regularly whips up a Saffron and Honey face mask to soothe her skin, as well as using eggs whites as a brightening treatment.
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4 They love a Dermalogica facial
Hurrah! This is one Dutch girl skin secret we can really get on board with. Found on most highstreets and skin clinics in the UK, Dermalogica is a tried and tested facial brand that knows how to handle every possible skin issue you can think of. In the Netherlands, Dermalogica is one of the most popular brands of facials booked across the entire country thanks to a results-driven, easy to keep up the good work at home approach to skincare. If you dream of skin like insta-babe Claire Cliteur then you know what to do…
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5 Microdermabrasion is everything
Clarity of skin is one of the hardest things to maintain, it's also one of the things Dutch women seem to have a real handle on (just check out the glow on Instagram sensation Anna Nooshin) Many dermatologists the world over swear by the use of Microdermabrasion to rid their clients complexions of sun damage, dry skin and dull patches. In the Netherlands it's one of the most popular types of skin fixes, with those savvy Dutch girls coming back again and again to get the glow. Put simply your skin is blasted with a spray of microcrystals (it's an odd sensation but doesn't hurt) which reveals a brighter, fresher layer of skin after each treatment.
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6 They give their lips a facial
It's not just their skin I'm obsessed with, it's their lips. Plump and naturally flushed in a way most of us can only achieve after a dab of lipstick, so what's their secret? Gigi Hadid recently admitted she gives hers a whole lot of love to keep them looking picture perfect at all times. Her trick? Giving them a mini facial with a toothbrush and a spot of lipbalm to exfoliate and buff away dry skin. It also keeps them perfectly plump. I'm brushing as I type…
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7 They have a facial every skin cycle
Not sure what a skin cycle is? Well, Dutch girls (Like Doutzen) know that the most effective timing for a regular facial is at the start of it. Every six weeks the baby cells your skin has produced mature, rise to the surface of the epidermis and are then shed. It's at this point the ingredients and tech in your facial can best repair and nourish the skin, meaning the results will be much more longlasting. Within three cycles you will see a marked difference in the appearance of your skin.
Heading to Holland and want to try out a few Dutch girl beauty treatments? Click here…