Interviews

Lili has been the beauty editor of such prestigious publications as French Vogue and more recently a writer at French Grazia to name a few… She also writes the blog Ma Recreation.com I picked Lili’s brains for some inside beauty tips and styling secrets.

Q: You have been a beauty writer at a number of top French magazines, gotten to meet many amazing people in the industry and have tested numerous lotions and potions.  What are your top beauty tips/secrets you have learnt that you can pass on?

A: The more I learn about beauty and skincare, the more doubts and questions I have about the right strategy to take care of one’s skin. I don’t believe that a product (except for injections) can take your wrinkles away and beauty editors age as the other women do in spite of the numerous pricy products we get to test for free.  But, I do believe in moisturising and in a meticulous ritual of cleansing your skin every night.  I use the Joelle Ciocco products to clean my face, Lait Onctueux Capital and lotion Lactee.  Every time I’m too lazy to do it or try another product, my skin doesn’t look that good. I also put pure minerals on my skin such as copper, selenium and magnesium or zinc when it’s too oily (which is rare now that I’m over 35).  Sometimes I go for antioxidant serums to slow down ageing but I’m not very faithful to them.  And, I don’t wear a SPF sunscreen everyday.  But I rarely put my face in the sun.  If I go to a sunny place, I use Anthelios SPF 50 for me and my daughter, it’s the only filter that I really trust and doesn’t cause any allergy to my skin.

Q: Everyone tries to emulate that effortless “French” style. What is it about French women that makes their look stand out from the rest?

A:You should visit our metro in the early morning!  All that fantasy about our fabulous style would vanish in a second.  Of course, if you compare a typical NY girl and a Parisian one, both working in fashion, they would never put the same energy in getting ready in the morning.  I think that Parisian girls don’t follow trends if they don’t feel comfortable in them, meaning they would never wear oversized jackets if they think they are too petite for that style.  Or they would never wear a mini short if they think that their legs are too fat.  We are probably less free than the London girls who wear whatever thy like regardless of what people would think of their outfit or figure.  I think that we are very self conscious; and with beauty it’s the same. We are very conservative, and it takes a very long time to change from one hair cut to another or from one make up style to another.  Once we know what works well with us, we stick to it! And we do as little as possible.  I was at the 15th birthday of Colette last night, and not one girl had gone to the hair dresser for that.  Not one.  Neither had they foundation on their face.  Not that we have a better skin condition that the others, but it’s just not in our culture to be too “done”.  We keep it as simple as possible.

Q: Tell us about the inspiration for your blog Ma Recreation?  Will it be translated into English soon?

A: I’m hard working on the translation!  I created this blog in November 2010 when I was still a beauty editor at Vogue Paris.  At the time, I was bored and tired of only writing about beauty. I wanted to share all the addresses I had the privilege to try, beauty wise but also the hotels in which I was lucky enough to travel, the great restaurants I was invited to go to… and as I am a mother of a 4 year old girl, I also wanted to share my top addresses with parents that were looking for interesting activities with their kids.  It’s been such an amazing adventure since then!

Q: What is the one beauty product you can’t live without?

A: I can only pick one? There’s a high hesitation between my perfume (Chanel N˚19), my moisturiser (Aesop Camelia Nut Facial Cream), my cleanser (Lait Onctueux Capital by Joelle Ciocco) and a good lip balm (the lip balm by Kiehl’s for example). I also love my soaps by Santa Maria Novella (the one with iris), pure balance shampoo by Aveda, conditioner by David Mallett, AND I can’t go without cream concealer under my eyes (3 Custom Colour), cream blush (MAC) and orgasm multiple by Nars.

Q:What is your favourite item of clothing?

A: Shoes. I lose my mind anytime I find a nice pair of shoes.  Sometimes I forbid myself from entering the Celine store or Pierre Hardy next to my place, just like a gambler who can’t go to casinos anymore, because if I try them and they fit me well, I buy them…I realise that you might want a piece of clothing as an answer and not an accessory.  In that case, I would say that I love shirts.  Men’s shirts or my collection of vintage Chloe shirts (designed by Phoebe Philo when she was still at the head of the house).  A nice shirt works with everything.

Q: Heels or Flats?

A: Both. Although I wear more high heels than flats.  I always promise myself not to kill my feet with uncomfortable heels anymore.  But I still endure that torture once in a while.

Q: Tea or Coffee?

A: Tea.  Liters of tea.  Green, black, white or even roibus.  Most of them from Mariage Freres or Miller Harris in London.

Q: Favourite Flower?

A: I love Peonies.  I also love sweet pea.  At my wedding in June 2009, I managed to find pastel colours of sweet pea and that was the only flower on the table, I loved it.

Q: What are you reading?

A: I just finished Branded Beauty by Mark Tungate for an article I’m writing. I haven’t read a normal book/novel since my summer holidays, it is sick, I know.  I read tons of books about perfume for work but I spend a lot of time reading cooking books for my cooking section on my blog.  But the last two books that really amazed me were Nancy Huston’s Lignes de Faille and L’envie by my friend Sophie Fontanel.

Q: What are you listening to on your ipod?

A: Brigitte, Pixies, Fanfarlo, Morissey, Ella Fitzgerald, Prince, Serge Gainsbourg…

Q: Is there a beauty look that you would never be caught dead in?

A: Love that question.  You will never see me with a smokey eye + heavy lip.  Either do one or the other. Most of the time I like the nude/fresh look with a tiny bit of mascara and just a line of black under the eyes.

Q: What are you coveting for Spring/Summer 2012?

A: I’m actually already coveting the amazing Proenza Schouler fall 2012 coats.  Especially that one www.vogue.com/collections/fall-2012-rtw/proenza-schouler/review (look #25) and for fall, I’d love to get that spring coat by Carven www.carven.fr/collection/ete-2012#look_id

Look what just landed on my desk – the March 2012 issue of US Vogue – a whole 606 pages of Fashion!!!

This Winter, I’m loving the elegance and simplicity of wearing jeans or trousers, a simple t-shirt and throwing on a coat or fur – divine!  Make the jacket your hero piece.  Take inspiration from these fashion week snaps.

Fashion (or simply playing dress-up) has always been in my blood.

Closette sat down with Claire to get her make up tips on looking good throughout Summer…….

Q: When the Summer heat hits, what is the best way to look polished without looking like we have too much make up on, which can result in looking sweaty and greasy?

A: Focus on oil-free formulas that give you an effortless, “I just walked straight off the beach” look.  Less is more in Summer.  Think chocolate eyeliner instead of black, ditch mascara altogether and get your lashes tinted instead.  Invest in a gel cream cheek tint instead of powder.

Q: What are the essential products we should have in our make up bag to take us from day to night this Summer?

A: South Beach by NARS- Multiple stick- its a creamy bronzer, eyeshadow, highlighter, blush…all in the one product. I also can’t live without my MAC Power Point eyeliner pencil in Bountiful Brown- its waterproof, long wear and super soft & smudgy for a sexy smokey eye in seconds.  

Q: Foundation or tinted moisturiser?  Which way should we go when the temperature rises?

Gail Elliot, International Supermodel and co-founder of the fashion label Little Joe Woman sat down with me to answer a few questions….

Q: Tell us about the inspiration behind your latest collection?

A: For our latest Little Joe Woman resort collection – “Love In Exile” I was inspired by the Rolling Stones documentary Exile On Main Street, where they lived a very decadent life in the South of France as tax exiles.  The collection is very seventies with sweeping maxi dresses, cool prints and sexy tailored silk blazers.

Q: You have worked with some of the worlds most talented stylists, make-up artists and designers.  Who has influenced your personal style?

A: I’ve been extremely lucky to have worked with the most talented stylists, photographers, make up & hair people and designers for over 25 years and have learned so much from them.  As a model you get to see and wear everything six months before it hits the stores and you see it from design and sample stage.  You shoot with it or wear it in fashion shows and then it goes into production.  Because models work with the most talented stylists and magazine editors, if one’s interested in fashion you pick up ways of putting looks together.  As a model you travel constantly, so seeing how girls put their clothing together in other cities was also interesting.  Now that I have a fashion brand all that I’ve learned is helping me create clothing that I feel people must have and want to wear -there’s a little of a “Model-Off-Duty” look in every collection.

Q: What is your favourite item of clothing?

A: I love dresses – they’re so easy to throw on and you feel you have a whole look going if you’re in a hurry.  They can be worn alone in Summer or layered with a cropped leather jacket, boots and a scarf in the Fall.

Q: Heels or flats?

A: Heels.

Q: Coffee or Tea?

A: Tea.

Q: Favourite Flower?

A: Anything white – Magnolia, Jasmine, Roses, Hydrangea, Casablanca Lily…

Q: Favourite City?

A: New York. I lived there for 24 years.  Second favourite city – Sydney!

Q: What are you reading?

A: Even Silence Has An End: My Six Years of Captivity in the Colombian Jungle by Ingrid Betancourt.

Q: What are you listening to?

A: Plan B.

Q: Any item that we must have this Summer?

A: I’m loving my beige leather Acne Pistol Boots with our Little Joe Woman silk Chiffon maxi dresses – The Memory Hotel or Perfume On My Mind.

Q: What item of clothing would you never be caught dead in?

A: Mule Shoes

Q: If you could collaborate with any designer who would it be?

A: Roberto Cavalli.

*Little Joe Woman is available in Melbourne from the Little Joe Woman stores in Chadstone (03) 9530 9578 and Hawksburn (03) 9533 2635 or visit www.littlejoeny.com

Romy Klooger is the owner of gorgeous Melbourne boutique Torsa; which stocks such coveted labels as Isabel Marant, Alexander Wang, Golden Goose and Jennifer Meyer Jewellery to name a few….

Q: What is the one item of clothing you can’t live without?

A: My R13 skinny/slouch jeans in aged black.

Q: You’ve just come back from Europe, what are the key trends for next season? Items we must have that are coming into Torsa?

A: For Spring/Summer ’12 there’s a lot of soft colour – tie dye is featuring again quite heavily and every label seemed to show soft, wearable prints that don’t overwhelm.  I can’t wait for Miss Mochila’s woven columbian bags in brights.  Girl by Band of Outsiders’ beautiful print shirts and R13′s next denim delivery-insane washes!

Q: What are you wearing right now?

A: Etoile Isabel Marant black ruch drawstring dress and Golden Goose/K.J tan flat sandals with silver stars.

Q: Favourite Flower?

A: White Hydrangea.

Q: Heels or Flats?

A: Flats.  Lanvin flats or Golden Goose sneakers.  And If I ever have to wear heels YSL Tribtoos are the only style I can stand in!

Q: Tea or Coffee?

A: Green Tea.

Q: Who is your style crush?

A: Helena Christensen – I have always loved her easy, bohemian style.  She’s never influenced by trends or whats considered “in” and always looks effortlessly stunning.

Q:Favourite City to shop in?

A: Paris for Society bed linen and the aforementioned ballet flats.  New York for art/photography and Melbourne for clothing!

Q: What are you currently listening to on your ipod? Favourite song?

A: The store usually has Jack Johnson on repeat (I’m a bit obsessed) but right now I’m listening to Eddie Vedder’s Into the Wild soundtrack.

Q: What item of clothing are you coveting right now?

A: Golden Goose black SS12 blazer, which arrives (in store) February.  From the store right now Isabel Marant Mana fringe dress from her runway-amazing!

Q: What are you reading?

A: Last night I re-read The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold – my all time favourite book.  I am a hopeless bookworm.  I read 3-4 books a week.  Makes for a very expensive habit!

Torsa is located at 497 High Street, Prahan Tel: (03) 9510-5585

Q: How important is it to set goals?

A: Goal setting for fitness is important, however, I’ve found from my 13 years of personal training and pilates instructing, that goals can lead to overwhelm and sometimes self-sabotage.  I prefer to reframe this and look at what outcomes are important to clients.  Goal setting for life is important.  I teach my clients to make sure their goals are aligned with their values and beliefs.

Q: How many times a week should one exercise?

A: I teach my clients to move 5 days a week for at least 30 mins and to move for at least 60 mins on the other 2 days.  That may mean walking the dog, stretching and lifting weights or doing a yoga DVD.  Our body, mind and spirit depend on regular movement for us to be able to operate at our full potential.  Regular movement also reduces stress while improving energy levels, a must for busy people!

Q: What is the best overall work out to tone, get the heart rate up and lose weight?

A: Interval training.  Go to a park, walk or jog around it a couple of times.  Then find a bench and do squats, lunges, tricep dips, press ups, abdominal brace and standing arm work.  The key is to constantly vary what you do and how you do it.

Q: Which celebrity body do you most admire?

A: I love Michelle Obama’s body shape and style.  She works out everyday and is a glowing example of what  healthy eating and regular movement can do.

Q: Do you have any advice for women who have just had a baby and are returning to the gym?

A: Firstly, don’t put unrealistic pressure on yourself to “bounce back into shape”.  The number 1 exercise all post-natal women must do is pelvic floor exercises a few times a day.  Consider hiring a personal trainer/pilates instructor to come to you.  I teach simple 10-20 min exercise routines that can be done at home, several times a week that focus on toning, stretching and strengthening.

Q: From a holistic point of view, what is the key to reinventing yourself?

A: Reinvention starts from the inside out.  Your body and health are a mirror of what’s happening in your mind and spirit.  If you’re stressed, unhappy and feeling stuck in life, your body mirrors this by being tight, achy and out of alignment.  Whereas if you’re happy, reaching your outcomes and living authentically, your body glows.

Q: Finally, what items of clothing are essential for working out?  Any favourite brands?

A: My essentials are black half leggings (summer) or full leggings (winter) made from a lycra mix fabric.  Pure cotton may feel lovely but it won’t flatter the legs or butt!  Also, a yoga style pant with the fold-over top for the “I feel fat” days.  For tops I like a tight fitting singlet and long sleeved tops.  Choose colours that flatter your skin tone.  Tighter tops make your feel fitter and healthier than a big baggy t-shirt.

For further information on Kylie Saunder and her services (including personal training and pilates) visit: www.mindful-wellbeing.com.au

Q: What item besides a trench coat should every woman have in her closet?

A: Hard to choose between the perfect pair of jeans, the perfect pair of black pants or the perfect white shirt.

Q: What is the most versatile colour to buy when purchasing your first leather jacket?

A: Black

Q: What are the hottest styles in leather this winter 2010?

A: Biker jackets and hoodies

Q: South American’s tend to wear more colour than we do, can you give us some advice on wearing colour?

A: It is always easier to wear colour in the form of a scarf or a handbag,  but if you feel brave and can pull it off a bright coloured leather jacket can look great. The hoodies for winter are available in chocolate, grey, black and navy as well as Turquoise and French blue.

Q: All your pieces have a touch of Latin American style, what is your source of style inspiration?

A: People watching on the streets of Buenos Aires

Q: If we only buy one jacket this season, what should it be?

A: A black washed leather with grey( removable) hoodie

Q: And the perfect bag?

A: The python skin satchel

Q: Can you give women some advice on buying and wearing lingerie?

A: Buy quality that fits well and that is super comfortable. You shouldn’t feel like you have any lingerie on and it should make you accentuate all your good features.

Q: What is the most comfy item to sleep in without compromising on style?

A: The best item to sleep in is one made from a beautiful fabric. Its the fabric and fit of the item that makes it comfortable.  Whether it is modal for softness or crisp cotton, always choose something that suits the climate you live in. Personally I’m a nightdress girl and tend to wear a knee length nightdress every night.

Q: Which style of underwear shows no VPL whilst still being comfortable to wear – boy short, French knickers or g-string?

A: If the g-string fits well it is usually the best but just like every woman needs to find a bra to suit their shape, they also need to find a knicker that suits their shape. If any style is too small then no matter how well it is made, it will show a line. Make sure your knickers fit well! Boyshorts are great for no line as the leg opening sits lower.

Q: What are the key styles/colours in underwear & sleepwear for winter 2010?

A: Knickers are becoming higher waisted but not granny knickers –  they have a French cut and look very sensual on. Natural fibres such as silks and cottons blended with luxurious cashmere and micro modals are heavily in demand.

Q: What’s the one item every girl needs in her underwear drawer?

A: A perfect slip to wear under a dress. They smooth out any lumps and bumps and give you extra confidence.