Francesca Aiello’s Secrets to the Perfect Beauty Routine

This month SI Swimsuit will bring you tips, tricks and must-haves from leading experts and influencers in the beauty and fashion industry. This week Francesca Aiello, the bikini brain behind Frankies Bikinis, shares her recommended beauty and skincare products.

Along with fashion and swimwear, skincare and beauty have always been huge passions of mine. My creative side has always loved to play with different ways to achieve a natural, glowy, sun-kissed makeup look, and because my skin is so sensitive, I have always been very attentive to the ingredients in both my skincare and beauty products. With that in mind, plus the fact that I’m simply becoming more knowledgeable about what I am putting on/in my body, I try to use products with only clean and natural ingredients to decrease the chances of irritation or reactions. This is something that I know is very common, and something that many people experience which is why I thought I would share some of my favorite must-haves with you!

SKINCARE

Whether you wear makeup every day or just for occasions, it all starts with the skin beneath and making sure it is healthy and happy.

I openly love a drugstore face wash and Aveeno Gentle Skin Cleanser has been my tried and true go-to from my teen years into my adult life. As I said before, my skin is extremely sensitive so anything with harsh chemicals will result in a breakout or rash after I use it. This product is gentle, has clean ingredients and is extremely affordable.

SHOP IT: Aveeno Ultra Calming Foaming Cleanser $8.59 

iS Clinical Pro Heal Serum Advanced+ is my favorite serum to use in the morning. I think it gives me that extra bit of glow before I apply sunscreen and is really weightless and simple to use. Their Active Serum is my favorite to use at night because it is gentle yet effective in maintaining a clear complexion.

SHOP IT: iS Clinical Active Serum $138
iS Clinical Pro Heal Serum Advance $155

Sunscreen is one of the most important steps of any skincare routine, especially with how much time I spend outside. If I’m being honest, I’m not always the best at remembering to lather up before heading outside every day, but EltaMD’s SPF is my pick for the freshest and cleanest sunscreen option. It is extremely lightweight and I don’t even realize that I’m wearing SPF when I have it on. It also makes layering foundation over (if you are that day) really easy to blend.

SHOP IT: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 $37

BEAUTY

I don’t wear makeup every day, but when I do these are my go-to products for a natural, glowing look.

I always start off with my Frankies Bikinis Glow Moisturizer. I genuinely use this moisturizer every single day and it is a staple in my beauty routine whether I am wearing a full face of makeup or no makeup at all. This product gives my skin a natural glow when wearing it alone, and also blurs out minor imperfections on my skin. During the summer, I rarely ever wear a full face of makeup, so this is perfect for brightening up my skin without adding a ton of product. If I am wearing makeup for a meeting or dinner, this moisturizer makes for the perfect base under my foundation and continues to give me that natural glow through that extra layer of makeup.

SHOP IT: Frankies Bikinis Glow Moisturizer $40

On days when I want to look a little bit more put together and want my skin to look flawless, I always use Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Skin Foundation. This foundation is buildable and extremely lightweight, which is perfect whether you want full coverage or just want to use a thin layer to create an even skin tone. I love to mix two shades to get my perfect skin match, and even then the coverage is amazing without feeling like you have a ton of product on your face.

SHOP IT: Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation $64

Frankies Bikinis Glow Tints are another absolute favorite and daily-used product of mine. We recently launched three new shades of our signature glow tint, which is a cream-based product that can be used on your eyes, lips and cheeks. I love anything that has multiple uses, especially when I am just looking for a quick touch of color on the go. These three colors look amazing on all skin tones and can be used as a highlighter, blush, bronzer, lip color and eye color. We also added a compact mirror so you can throw these in your purse and use on-the-go as needed.

SHOP IT: Frankies Bikinis Glow Tints // Summer Skin $28
Frankies Bikinis Glow Tints // Malibu Bronze
Frankies Bikinis Glow Tints // Golden Girl
Frankies Bikinis Glow Tints // Sun Baby

Frankies Bikinis Glow Tints are an SI Swimsuit Editor favorite! You can always find these in our bags.

I love a mascara that is just thick enough to last if I wear it in the water but isn’t waterproof. I fell in love with Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara and haven’t used anything as regularly since. I’m a sucker for super long, natural-looking lashes and this product does the trick.

SHOP IT: Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara $9.99

Last but certainly not least, I am so excited to finally share my new baby, Frankies Bikinis Bronzing Body Lotion. I have worked on creating this bronze collection for quite some time now and am so excited to finally be able to share this with everyone. I just love having that sun-kissed look as if I have been at the beach all day. As I am in the office most days, I love having this product to use on my skin to create a naturally bronzed look. I also love that the color is buildable, there are no streaks, no smell and it is quick drying. It’s so simple to use and I love how (like everything else I use) it is buildable so can work for everyone.

SHOP IT: Frankies Bikinis Bronzing Body Lotion $39