The best thing is when someone who really knows what they're talking about shares their beauty secrets with you. Marie Claire's beauty editor Maroesja de Ruyter specially took to pen for us and shares all her wisdom.
BEAUTY CONFESSIONS
Besides everything I apply, I drink liters of herbal tea (nettle because it's purifying and good for my skin and fennel because I think it gives me a flatter stomach, very optimistically…). Additionally, I take a good multi with a complete B-complex (Biovitaal via The Soulsister in Amsterdam) and twice a day a 500 mg C-tablet from Solgar (also for my skin).
RED CARPET ESSENTIAL
The night before, I go to sleep with a thick layer of mask (Dermalogica Multivitamin Recovery Mask) that I let soak in nicely. Not very sexy, but I start that day already glowing. Furthermore, the iconic 5 couleurs Designer no. 508 from Dior is my ultimate tool for a perfect smoky eye. For a nice base, I dab a bit of Advanced Night Repair from Estée Lauder over my moisturizer for a boost and then a primer from Laura Mercier so my foundation stays beautiful all evening (and night).
EYEBROWS OR LASHES
Both. I don't choose. My eyebrows are nice in shape on their own, but I always fill them in a bit fuller with Mac Brow Pencil in the color Dirty Blonde. I find that many brown eyebrow pencils contain too much red pigment, and this color is just right. Then I blend the pencil with a brush from Make-Up Studio into my hairs for a natural effect. As for my eyelashes: I almost never leave the house without curling my lashes and applying a layer of mascara, Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Mascara in Fetish Black and Chanel Le Volume are favorites.
MORNING RITUAL
I try to start my morning with an hour to an hour and a half of Ashtanga yoga at De Nieuwe Yoga School in the Jordaan. Besides being a nice start to the day (once I'm out of bed…) almost nothing compares to that glow it gives me. Then I shower at home with a wonderfully scented shower product like Philosophy Field of Flowers, it feels like spring is starting, even though it's the middle of winter.
UNEXPECTED BEAUTY TOOL
Pure cold-pressed sesame oil (not those small bottles with sesame aroma), just from the health food store. I apply it to my feet every day, it keeps them beautiful and especially soft (confession: I have a slight obsession with the – in my opinion – way too fast callus formation on my feet). And because according to Ayurvedic health teachings, applying (warm) sesame oil to your feet helps to ground.
FAVORITE PERFUME
For years, Lady Vengeance by Juliette has a Gun – full of Bulgarian rose and patchouli - was my signature fragrance, and I still receive many compliments when I wear it. But I now alternate it with Jo Malone Lime Basil Mandarin, a lovely daytime scent.
NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT
My Burt's Bees lip balm with vitamin E and peppermint. It tingles so nicely.
NICE BEAUTY PURCHASE
Oh… so much! Besides all the new beauty products I receive and test as a beauty editor, I easily spend 100 euros on a moisturizer that I like or buy that one cool and classic always-good-color nail polish like Essie Lacey not Racey (a deep Burgundy red).
DON'T TELL ANYONE BUT...
As a beauty editor, I probably use way too few conditioners for my hair (uh, correction: almost never… that was another confession…). After washing, I prefer to let it air dry and apply a serum when my hair is still a bit damp.
