It took about 50 years (I'm 53 years old now), but I've finally found a face care routine that works. My routine starts at night before I go to bed. First, I clean my skin with Acqua Alle Rose Acqua Micellare (micellar water). Then I apply Eau Thermale Avène Soothing Eye Contour Cream under my eyes and Avène Hydrating Cream on my face. I let the creams set for about a minute; then, I lock the moisture in with a face oil I make myself. It contains argan and rosehip oil.
In the morning, I use Acqua Distallata Alle Rose (rosewater) from Acqua Alle Rose, and then I apply the eye and face creams from Avène again.
My makeup routine is pretty simple. I use Kiko Milano's Skin Tone Concealer (08) under my eyes. I hardly wear foundation, but I use Kiko's Insta Moisture Foundation (9.5N). I use MAC Pressed Blot Powder in "Deep Dark" to control shine when I do. I also use it as an eyeshadow. My go-to lip colour is NARS Powermatte in "Don't Stop".
Regarding skincare for my body: I love Korres' Jasmine Shower Gel. It has a great scent and perks me up in the morning. After showering, applying Eucerin 10% Urea Cream is a must because I have eczema. My go-to scents are Kiehl's Musk and Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum. Chanel N° 5 is a complicated scent to wear, but I get compliments when I do. The key is to spray a cloud and then run through it. Never apply Chanel No 5 directly to your body. It's too strong.
My hair routine is pretty simple as well. I wash my hair once a week. My favourite shampoo is Foamie's Shampoo Bar for blonde or grey hair. I have grey hair (yes, it's REAL, not bleached out). Due to pollution and product residue, grey hair can get a yellow tinge. Foamie's Shampoo Bar keeps the tinge away and doesn't dry out my hair. After shampooing, I use Cantu Argan Oil Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream, but I rinse it out. Then I apply Eco Style Olive Oil gel and let my hair air dry.
At night I apply Innersense Quiet Calm Curl Control and – don’t freak out – Weleda Skin Food Body Butter to my hair. Weleda’s Body Butter is the best thing that has happened to my hair in a long time. Then I pin my hair in a bun. When I get up, my hair is soft and moisturized.Do you want to share any particular beauty treatment or secret with us?
Vaseline gets a bad rap, but if it was good enough for my mother and grandmother, it’s good enough for me. If my face is really, really dry, I’ll apply my Avène products and then apply Vaseline to seal in moisture before I go to bed.
What kind of workouts do you do in the morning?
I love working out online with my friends at @we.are.w. Dannilize, Anne-Sophie, and Kirsten are fabulous! They kick my butt and make me laugh. I highly recommend them! I’m also a follower of the Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, so I meditate for at least five minutes or do the morning chant from his Plum Village tradition. Then, before I sit down at my desk, I light incense or a stick of palo santoand let the smoke flow over my workspace.
How do you balance your intensive work schedule with everything else you
have going on?
I balance by prioritizing what needs to be done according to my personal criteria and not someone else’s. I’ve also learned to say NO, which has made things much easier for me.
What is the best beauty advice you were ever given, and by whom?
"Perfection is the enemy of greatness". My parents would tell me this because I tend to focus on getting something perfect instead of letting go and moving on. The phrase relates to beauty and what’s h in the world today; A lot of us are trying to form ourselves into something that the mainstream media says is "perfect". We waste our time and money, and even endanger our health in this useless quest for perfection. When we do this, we get distracted from our natural greatness.
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