New to The Stylish Stuff for 2016 is a series of interviews with Industry Insiders. These are the Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle experts whose careers are founded on delivering the right information on the products you really want and need. It’s no surprise that my world of fashion goes hand in hand with the beauty industry and over the years I’ve worked with a very talented handful of Beauty Directors and Make up artists, whom I 100% trust with my skin and hair care pointers.
First in the series is Glamour Beauty Director and Instagram guru, Alessandra Steinherr. As beautiful as she is knowledgeable, she’s garnered a massive following on social media by veering away from sponsored posts; instead staying true to her tried and trusted recommendations and favourites. She interacts with her following, dispensing solid and honest advice starting with make up and skin care but also paying homage to the importance of nutrition and exercise.
We asked Alex for her ten MUST HAVE beauty products, you know, the ones that aren’t allowed to EVER run out. She spoilt us with fourteen. We also photographed her in some of her wardrobe staples, a striped Breton top, favourite denim and the kind of coats we’ll all be hankering after. Basically a little fashion AND beauty inspiration. You’re welcome.
Happy New Year.
A is for Alex…
The eye’s have it…
Oh and the lips too.
ALEX LOVES
“Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair is my ultimate skin care staple. I’ve been using it faithfully for years to protect, repair, hydrate and age-proof my face.”
“I don’t really have a signature fragrance as I love trying new ones, but Chanel Coromandel is the one perfume I wear over and over again.”
“My skin gets really dehydrated in winter, rather than switching to a heavy cream, I mix Clarins Hydra Quench Serum into my moisturiser.”
http://www.clarins.co.uk/hydraquench-intensive-serum-bi-phase/C010404021.html?start=1
“Finding a good eye cream is a constant quest for me as so many disappoint. My favourite is Zelens Triple Action Eye Cream because it’s light, yet powerful.”
http://www.zelens.com/product.php?xProd=6
MY STYLE:
Alex says; “I guess it’s very pared back and a bit of a uniform, mainly because I like to play with colour in my makeup and so my clothes are more of a neutral canvas. I live in Jeans, they are my staple, I wear them every day and I own about 50 pairs, in denim, black, charcoal, white etc. My other musts are v-neck tees in white, grey and black. I used to spend a fortune on designer tees but I shrunk them all in the wash so now I buy them at Zara and H&M and frankly they are just as great. I do love my Equipment silk shirts, I own quite a few in the signature style, they have the cut of a man’s button down but in fluid silk which makes them much more feminine. In winter I live in men’s cashmere sweaters from M&S – I just love the oversized, mannish cut and they are such great value (plus you can machine wash them).
Other building blocks of my wardrobe are blazers which work so well from day to night. I love suede ankle boots and trainers, these star ones from Saint Laurent (seen below) were a bit of a splurge, but I think they’re so fun. Finally, I never leave the house without a scarf, usually from Isabel Marant, I collect them.”
Alongside her love of a classic neutral wardrobe, Alex loves a little bohemian embroidery and embellishment – perfect with jeans of course.
A go to palette of greys…
“I’m a fan for Hyaluronic Acid for its moisture retaining power and my favourite is NIOD Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Complex.”
http://www.lookfantastic.com/niod-multi-molecular-hyaluronic-complex-30ml/11135679.html
“Non aggressive cleansing is a must for every skin type – even very oily ones. I love Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser because it works AND it’s really affordable too.”
http://www.feelunique.com/p/Cetaphil-Gentle-Skin-Cleanser-250ml
“When I get a breakout or when my pores feel clogged, I’ll do a mask with Sudocrem (yes, that’s the nappy rash cream). I swear it works a charm and is cheaper than lots of other treatments.”
“When I wear make up I always double cleanse. The first cleanse is to get all the make up off and I love Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water as it dissolves even stubborn mascara.”
http://www.superdrug.com/Garnier/Garnier-Cleansing-Micellar-Water-400ml/p/809257#.VoQBUzY9GDc
“I’m not a magpie when it comes to jewellery. I have few pieces but I wear them day in, day out, so I have to really love them. I have always been into rose gold, so most of my jewellery is in that metal. I wear a vintage man’s watch which fits me better than dainty wrist watches. I love bracelets and my faves are by Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. My favourite brand of fine jewellery is Shamballa.”
“I love a classic Chanel Bag in black, it’s timeless and a great investment. I am not overly into trends, what’s in one day, inevitably is out the next, so I prefer stylish buys that will last forever, which I guess is how I would sum up my personal style.”
“I always get dry lips so lipstick is often not an option, for everyday I wear Lanolips Lip Ointment in Rose which nourishes with a hint of a tint.”
https://www.victoriahealth.com/product/Lanolips-Lip-Ointment-Rose-SPF15/8702
“Another great value cleanser is Sanctuary Ultimate Facial Cleansing Oil – great if you have drier skin.”
http://www.sanctuary.com/en-gb/ultimate-cleansing-oil/
“I love the look of my skin when I wear Chantecaille Future Skin. It’s magic, you look like you have the most amazing skin in the world”
“Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream All Over Miracle Oil is perfect to nourish skin from head to toe. It’s fast and though it’s an oil, it doesn’t feel greasy.”
“Though I own tons of mascaras, I always go back to YSL False Lash Mascara because it delivers on its promise of full, glossy black lashes.”
“My all-time favourite eyeliner is Mac Khol in Teddy, it’s the perfect bronze shade that works for everyone. Most big make up artists use this.”
http://Mac kohl in teddy john lewis
Chez Alex, her love of fragrance is evident in the many scented candles she has on every surface.
Fashion & Style Director Shelly Vella
Photographs of Alex by Shelly Vella