You know beauty coach Thijs Willekes from TV shows like Modepolitie 2.0, Hollands Next Topmodel, Looking Good, and Passion for Fashion. But there is also the blog sothijs.nl and the book ‘SoThijs; tips, tips, and more tips’ (2011). Here are his top tips for Amayzine.
Morning ritual
“Everything goes at lightning speed. In the morning, I never wash my hair; I do that in the evening. And I'm addicted to creams, ever since I was about 8 years old. I start the day with cleansing: with a foam in the shower or, if I have a bit more time, with cotton pads. Did you know that your skin in the morning might be even dirtier than at the end of the day?‘
’At night, the skin regenerates, which is why it might be even dirtier than at the end of the day.
My favorite products are the mild daily scrub and the Foaming Cleansing mousse from Sisley, for both men and women. On a well-cleansed skin, creams also work much better. You may have the entire vanity table filled with expensive jars, but on dirty skin, it doesn't do its job. Then the ritual continues (still at lightning speed) with the new Swiss Ice Chrystal serum from La Prairie, for reasonably sensitive skin, and it absorbs quickly. I have a fairly sensitive skin myself, so I need products that are not too aggressive and work hydrating and calming. Then, after getting dressed, I apply Ioma cream number 4, specifically to calm and even out the skin. Lastly, I use an eye cream (Shiseido) and run my hands through my hair three times.”
Cheap can be just fine.
“I'm quite a cosmetic whore, to put it that way, because I take everything from a brand that I find beautiful. I don't limit myself to one brand, but take the pearls from different brands. It's not always about money: the eyebrow gel from HEMA is world-class and costs €2.95. In some products, you need to invest, for example in foundation, but good doesn't have to be expensive. It's about what works well for you.”
Red carpet essential
“On the red carpet, you especially have to keep in mind that you are being photographed. All those impossible flashlights and angles from photographers. Be careful with shiny faces; you quickly become an oil ball. A lot of shine is used in eyeshadows on the red carpet, but after thirty, gravity kicks in, making shine really work on the eyes. Lines are accentuated, drooping eyelids, you know how it goes. Don't do it. And also be careful with highlighting. The best and most beautiful is to keep the skin nice and matte, for example with a pressed powder. Just be careful how you apply it and in which direction you work.”
The perfect lip
“What I always find works is a bright lip color. If you like natural, you should think of a peach-like color with an orange undertone. You should avoid pink because Dutch skin is already reddish, and you don't want to accentuate that. Carice van Houten does this very cleverly; her lips always look radiant. Chanel always has beautiful lipsticks due to their brightness, coverage, and pigmentation. Rouge allure, for example, has a fantastic Ferrari red color with a hint of orange.”
Eyebrows or lashes
“Definitely eyebrows. I could really write a book about that. Eyebrows are related to the right to exist of the face. They provide structure in the face, balance, calm, and character. Whether or not you wear mascara doesn't matter that much, but an awkward or poorly plucked eyebrow is deadly for the face.”
Million Dollar Tip
“I couldn't live without the Touche Eclat from YSL. I think it's a brilliant invention. For women, but also for men, it can work wonders when applied subtly. You can even use it as your foundation, although that's an expensive hobby. If you have tired eyes, you apply a little, and you immediately look flawless and radiant again. I also use it as a cotton swab. Runny eyes, a smudged eyeliner, it's easily fixed. This product is definitely a must-have in your bag. A nice pick-me-up is done in no time.”
Favorite perfume
“I absolutely switch between perfumes. A scent should complement how you feel and what you're going to do. My favorites include some more unusual, striking scents. I also love unisex scents, like Red Nr. 2 from Comme des Garcons. Hermes has a beautiful, rich perfume line: there are five or six for a small two hundred euros each with beautiful leather caps. And each scent has its own color. But there is also a difference in quality. Serge Lutens also has such rich, intense scents that I alternate with. And of course, I also try new launches. When I try a scent, I spray it in my hair, for example.”
Never leave home without
“I never leave the house without Sisley Comfort Extreme, a lip balm. It's so phenomenally fantastic: chapped dry lips are so unpleasant. Both for men and women. The cheap sticks don't have a lasting effect; Sisley works with essential oils. When you apply that, you really feel the quality, and it gives a natural shine.”
