To me beauty means wholeheartedly embracing who you are and the confidence that comes with being your authentic self. Beauty is kindness, I truly believe that how you feel inside and the love and care you give both yourself and others radiates outwards and is what makes someone truly beautiful. Beauty is a special energy you feel, it is the small details that catch your attention when you maybe least expect it.
What does Beauty mean to you?
On Skincare
AM: The first thing I do in the morning after a strong cup of coffee is wash my face with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser, my ride or die that I first discovered over 10 years ago and no matter how many new cleansers I try I always keep coming back to this one. It’s the only cleanser that I feel thoroughly cleanses my face without making it feel dry or oily and it’s also very gentle. After this I follow with a facial spray. I have a soft spot for facial sprays and always like trying new ones, especially from the French pharmacy or Korean brands, right now I’m using a new one I discovered when sunburnt on holiday this Summer in Greece from La Roche Posay, their famous Cicaplast B5 formula in a spray – like the cream it’s really gentle, soothing and hydrating and heals your skin and makes it look and feel fresh. After this I will apply a Vitamin C serum, my favorites are from Swedish brand Mantle (The Wow Serum) and this Korean brand (Goodall Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Care Serum) then I layer on this essence (Cos RX Snail Essence) and follow withLa Roche Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome creamwhich is my favourite daytime moisturizer I’ve ever used as it magically keeps my combination skin in check. My friend and beauty guru Romy (Romy de Vries) recommended this sunscreen (Benton Airfit UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+) and It’s been a game changer for me, very light, non-greasy and doesn’t break me out.
PM: In the evening I really like to take my time with my skincare as I enjoy the ritual of taking care of my skin before going to sleep. I will always start with the Manasi 7 Caulis Cleansing Balm, it is super moisturising and gentle and it feels so incredibly good to wash your face with it, then I follow up with the Kiehl’s cleanser for a second cleanse. Depending on the condition of my skin that day I will either use a moisturizing/calming face spray (currently Cicaplast B5 spray) or an exfoliating one, my favourites are the iconic Biologique Recherche lotion P50 and Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
I will then mix a retinol (I just started using a new one from Paula’s choice – Pro Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment) with a hydrating serum (I’m currently using the Mantle Hydra Serum which has an amazing consistency). I will finish up with applying a thick layer of moisturizer, my favourite evening moisturisers that are currently on rotation are Manasi 7’s Botanical Face Cream Furora, Mantle The Barrier Cream and my favourite skincare product of all time, the holy grail – La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5+ Balm. I’ve been using this cream for so many years and it truly is a miracle cream in my opinion.If I have any blemishes or break outs I will put on one of these COS RX Master Patch Clear Fit stickers which work wonders at helping speeding up the healing process.
Sometimes I will finish up my skincare routines or alternate on the weekends with a sheet mask, I also love doing a sheetmask when I stay with friends or have a night in. My favourites are the Cos RX ones, Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask (that I sometimes leave on for 4 hours, perfect for pre-event or combating a major hangover) and the Cicaplast B5 facial sheet mask (that you can for some reason only buy in Australia. But I always stock up when I’m over there or I force my sister to send me a care package).
In Alice's File
‘For gently washing away all my makeup and problems at the end of the day. I love it because it doesn’t dry out my skin and it lathers well.’
‘My ride or die that I first discovered over 10 years ago and no matter how many new cleansers I try I always keep coming back to this one.’
‘It is the best mascara I’ve ever used, gives a beautiful finish and the packaging is stunning.’
‘It smells like Palo Santo and Sage and calms me down.’
‘It is gentle for blonde damaged hair, keeps my colour looking glossy and smells like the Prada perfume from the 90s.’
On Haircare
I like to change my hairstyle and colour up a lot because I think it’s fun. In the last year I’ve gone from a long, ethereal, bright blonde to a super short strawberry blonde bob. Now I want to grow it out again for my wedding. My favourite products are from Kerastase, Oribe and Davines, but when it comes down to the actual daily routine I’m incredibly low maintenance when it comes to my hair, I don’t even own a hair dryer. Although I do have a soft spot for hair accessories, I adore hair bands, bows, clips and scrunchies and I will often wear just one hairclip a la Margot Tenenbaum. These accessories from Miu Miu and Sophie Buhai make my heart skip a beat. I normally just wash my hair twice a week with a good shampoo for blonde hair, I rotate between Kerastase Blonde Absolu, Davines OI and then follow with a conditioner that smells good like Oribe Gold Lust Repair or Davines Heart of Glass. I particularly love the Davines heart of glass line, it is gentle for blonde damaged hair, keeps my colour looking glossy and smells like the Prada perfume from the 90s. I always comb out my hair when it’s wet and then let it dry naturally, because I love how it falls naturally. I do not use any hair product besides dry shampoo, I LOVE a good dry shampoo, my favourites are the Moroccan oil one and Klorane (that I buy in bulk whenever I’m in Paris).
On Make-up
A good base –T cosmetics CC cream or Nars Tinted Moisturiser mixed with Saie Glowy Super Gel to make it more glowy and natural, I like these products because they provide a good coverage without looking like you are wearing makeup and I can still see my skin. When I was younger, I struggled with so many skin problems and I used to wear so much foundation and concealer to cover it all up and I think it just made it look worse and made me look older. Now I’ve learned that I look better with less makeup even if I don’t have perfect skin and I like my imperfections and don’t mind showing them. I adore wearing a brown lip or a darker lip, It’s become somewhat of a signature for me. It’s a bit sexy without trying too hard (My favourite products, Byredo Satin Lipstick , Charlotte Tilbury Hyralonic Happikiss in Hapiberry and Byredo Liquid Lipstick Vinyl in Molasses). Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder – Dim Light, the finish the ambient lighting powder gives is very pretty and natural and non-powdery. I also think the Hourglass packaging is beautiful. Saie Dew Blush in Baby is the perfect fresh pink colour for cheeks that gives a natural finish and lasts all day. I am a fan of multi-purpose products that are easy to carry/travel with and that I can use on my eyes, cheeks and lips, Manasi 7 all over colour in Bisque and Byredo colour stick in Demerara are my favourites. When I wear mascara it’s the Byredo one (I also love the limited edition mascara they just released – Magnetic State that has a dark green tint) it is the best mascara I’ve ever used, gives a beautiful finish and the packaging is stunning. For eyebrows I love anything from Anastasia, they have the best and most natural brow products in my opinion.
On Health and Wellness
I trained as a ballet dancer for over 20 years and therefore exercise and movement are incredibly important to my wellbeing. I feel my best when I am regularly active and therefore I walk as much and often as I can, preferably in nature and then I train ballet barre, yoga or pilates 2 – 3 times a week depending on my schedule and needs. I meditate and practice gratitude regularly which helps a lot with managing stress and anxiety (sometimes during stressful periods I will even meditate on the metro or in a cab, I shut my eyes and put on chanting Tibetan monks). I also love the Swedish ritual of cold bathing in the ocean followed by a hot sauna. I wish that I could do it every day. I am fascinated by the power of tarot for introspection and spiritual guidance and often do readings on myself and others with my own deck, I find it incredibly grounding, insightful and empowering. When I want someone else to do a reading for me I’ll book a digital session with my favourite tarot reader Laetitia
On Fragrance
Byredo – De Los Santos because it smells like Palo Santo and Sage and calms me down. I’m very fond of the smell and feel of Palo Santo and I burn it at home every day. I remember thinking that I would love a scent that encapsulated this energy and when this launched a few years ago I just had to try it. I wear it almost everyday now, it’s very calming and mysterious.
Le Labo – Thé Matcha, I first went to Japan over 10 years ago and I fell head over heels for everything Matcha, Matcha tea, Matcha kit kats and Matcha skincare. This scent first called to me due to its name and then when I tried it I couldn’t stop wearing it. I feel that it seems to just match with my personality and it makes me happy. It also works very well with my skin chemistry because people literally stop me on the street when I have it on to ask me what I’m wearing.
Maison Louis Marie – No.04 Bois de Balincourt, I adore anything with sandalwood and this scent is very woody but fresh at the same time. I wear the perfume oil version of this scent, it is so fresh and perfect for using on the go. I also love the feeling of applying and wearing perfume oil because it’s much more sensual.
Byredo’s Summer Rain scented candle – I wanted to give a shout out to this scented candle because it smells like fresh exotic fruit combined with the air after a thunderstorm. I was born in Singapore and this scent reminds me of being a child and smelling fresh lychees, figs and the feeling after heavy rainfall subsides on a humid day
Your Beauty Secrets
Prioritize sleep as much as you can, be kind and meditate, a calm nervous system does wonders for physical appearance and feeling good about yourself.
Alice's Directory
For skin, the best facial I’ve ever gotten was the Biologique Recherche tailored facial – I think they offer them all over the world in different clinics. One of my favourite beauty clinics is Arakai Beauty in Copenhagen, they offer the Biologique Recherche treatment there but also a whole range of treatments and even ones that incorporate healing energy.
For hair, I go to Sofie at Oh Yes in Stockholm, she is the best colourist I’ve ever had – she is so good at getting the right blonde tone.
”I could wax lyrical about this product forever…’