Melvin recently worked for a PR agency with which we have a very warm relationship, but he has now started his own site: www.beauty-insider.nl. And hallelujah what a beautiful site that is. For all the news and know-how about the world of beauty, tips from experts, and a peek into the bathroom cabinets of it-girls that you won't find on Amayzine.com (just kidding!), you should check it out there. But besides that, Melvin is just an incredibly sweet and fun guy, and his press presentations are never boring. That's why he was of course allowed to share all his secrets and must-haves with us.
Morning ritual
“When I get out of bed, I immediately jump in the shower, then I wake up completely. I start by washing my hair with L’Anza’s Healing Pure Clarifying Shampoo. This makes my hair, which is often blow-dried, super shiny and healthy again. Then a conditioner or mask, once or twice a week, from Moroccanoil. While this is doing its job, I use Sisley’s Eau de Campagne bath and shower gel. It’s nice and fresh and gives energy. Then I cleanse my face with the Biodermal cleansing mousse which is very mild. I put a pump of that on the Clarisonic. After that, I rinse my hair, because everything has been nicely absorbed and my hair feels silky soft. A man’s skin is a bit oilier, so I tend to shine quickly, and that’s why I always use light emulsions for day care and often switch, depending on how my skin is doing. I either go for Sisley’s Emulsion Ecologique (a daily lotion), or Origins” Make A Difference Plus (a fresh non-greasy gel-cream when my skin is a bit oilier) or YentlOil’s 24hour Face Cream (a richer lotion when my face feels a bit drier). Finally, I use a bit of eye cream against dryness lines. Intensive Eye Repair from Dermalogica is really nice.”
Beauty Essentials
“For my work, I have many appointments and I think it’s important to look well-groomed, so I always ensure a fresh face. I’m quite ‘obsessed’ with having a perfect, flawless skin. To achieve that, I always apply a bit of concealer to reduce the redness around my nose (Nars Radiant Concealer) and under my eyes if I have dark circles (Sisley Phyto-Cernes Éclat). If I have an event or party – where many photos are taken – I use the Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation, which is mega liquid and ultra-thin, you can’t see it and it makes your skin perfectly even. It also doesn’t contain SPF so you won’t have a white face from a flash. For a healthy color, I finally apply a bit of Bronzing Powder from MAC.”
Favorite perfume
“Since the day it was released, I have been wearing Aqua Universalis from Maison Francis Kurkdjian, purchased at Skins Cosmetics. That’s already been five years. I alternate it with other scents, but I always come back to this one. It has become my signature. It smells like crisp clean white linen. Soft, sophisticated, and classy. When I smell the fragrance and close my eyes, I am in a luxury hotel in delightful Paris.”
Christmas Pearl
“I find the Christmas collection from Armani, Orient Excess, amazing. Blood-red lips and nails with soft, glamorous smoky eyes. The pigmentation of the products from this brand is really top-notch, it lasts a long time. For this limited edition collection, as a makeup lover, you really need to hurry to the (exclusive sales points in the Netherlands) Bijenkorf in The Hague or Amsterdam!”
Just want to have…
“My biggest ‘beauty love’ is perfume. The scents from Jo Malone are a dream, you can mix and match all their fragrances for a unique scent. English Pear & Freesia or Lime Basil & Mandarin are scents I would love to add to my fragrance wardrobe. Now hoping that Santa also likes to take a look at Amayzine.com!‘
Best purchase
“Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair II has been a great investment. My skin is sometimes dull, restless with some spots, and I sit behind the computer all day typing articles, which often stresses my skin. When I apply this amazing (non-greasy) serum in the evening, I have an incredible glow the next morning.’
Million Dollar Tip
“With good hair, an even skin tone, and beautiful white teeth, every outfit looks nice and you always make a good impression. I have already mentioned my hair products above. And my even skin tone is mainly thanks to regular peels with the exfoliators from Philosophy (the Microdelivery) and from the Uncover line of Dr. Jetske Ultee. I whiten my teeth with Crest White Strips, which work quickly and very easily.”
Never leave home without
“Everything for a quick touch-up: Blotting papers from Clean & Clear to dab away my shine (made of latex, absorbs better than paper and doesn’t shift makeup. Unfortunately not available in the Netherlands, always great deals via Ebay!), Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, a super good concealer in a box with a mirror, Dermalogica Climate Control Lip Treatment, and of course my fragrance Aqua Universalis from Maison Francis Kurkdjian in the chic travel version.”
Instagram: @melvinbeauty
