THE PRODUCTS BEAUTY EDITORS REALLY USE

“What skincare do you recommend?” That’s the question I’m posed with at least two to three times a week.

As a beauty writer, I’m fortunate enough to have access to luxury labels and a copious amount of your favourite supermarket beauty buys — not to mention top hair stylists, make-up artists and skin therapists on speed dial.

Now, I’m the first to admit that testing beauty products every week — if not every day — is a dream job. As part of my job description, I’ve trialled treatments the price of a 12-course degustation menu, pricey moisturisers laden with real 24K gold, sonic battery-operated devices that could probably send ET home, and even a hair styling tool that sucks straight hair in like a space-age vacuum and spits a curl right back out (genius, right?).

But, here’s the thing: I’ve got an oily/combination skin type – not one of an Armadillo — so spritzing and slathering on the latest formula can stir up irritation. Heck, I’d be lying if I said I’ve never woken up with my skin so aggravated it was red raw; or my eyes so swollen they completely closed over and I had to call in sick to work because I literally could not see.

Yet, after almost eight years as a beauty editor at some of Australia’s top women’s lifestyle magazines, it may come as no surprise that when it comes to my own daily beauty regimen, it’s well, pretty basic.

In between testing, I use coconut oil from my local grocer as an eye make-up remover. It literally melts make-up away. And, regardless of what I do throw at my skin, pharmacy favourite Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($10.49) never upsets it.

But, what about other Aussie beauty editors’ secrets? I grilled some of them (anonymously) to find out…

To read the full article I wrote exclusively for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, click here.

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Headband: Vera Xane | Dress: Ellery

Photography: Chantell Bianchi