How 4 It girls manage beauty spending habits (+ when they save and when they splurge)
Beauty spending strategies are equal parts non-negotiables that we’ll open up our wallets for and shortcuts that get the job done. We talk to a quartet of cool girls (including a model and a stylist) to reveal theirs. Click through to learn about the spending habits of your Instagram crushes, including where they get their nails done and the luxe facials they can’t live without.
Model: Soo Joo Park
While she’s circling the globe—thanks to L’Oréal Paris and Redken spokesmodel gigs, editorial spreads and being muse to Karl Lagerfeld—Park is still a laid-back Californian at heart.
Smart Splurge
To prevent the strains of her hectic schedule from showing up, Park prioritizes skincare. “I’m constantly working and travelling, so I need to protect my skin and prevent sun damage,” she explains. Her must-haves: Koh Gen Do Gommage Spa Gel (kohgendocosmetics.com) — “You massage it in and the skin cells kind of collect”—and Dior Hydra Life Youth Essential Concentrated Sorbet Essence (dior.com)—“It’s not sticky or greasy.”
Cheap Pick
Rather than going to a nail salon, Park employs her design school education for D.I.Y. nail art. She uses L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nail Colour (lorealparis.ca) to whip up unique designs, such as mixing two colours to create a marbleized effect. “I’m right-handed, so everything looks better on my left side, but I do OK,” she says. “I love art and painting, so I just really enjoy it.”
Luxe Appointment
When she travels to Korea for work, Park seeks out a local facial spot. She books wherever she can get a last-minute appointment or tries recommendations from friends. “I usually go for something that hydrates and addresses pores.”
Added Value
Park prefers getting massages at “simple” spots like Health Trail in New York City’s Chinatown rather than swanky spas. “I like that it’s straightforward, because I need someone who knows how to get the knots out. When it’s too fancy it makes me slightly uncomfortable.”
Stylist: Jessica de Ruiter
When not pulling clothes for shoots or styling ads, this LA-based stylist finds balance in a “clean” lifestyle. She prefers natural hair, skin and body formulas.
Smart Splurge
Committing to an eco-friendly philosophy means spending a bit more, but de Ruiter points out that her favourite products— RMS Beauty Eye Polish (rmsbeauty.com) and Lip & Skin balm and Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner (iliabeauty.com)—contain nourishing ingredients like coconut oil and cocoa butter. “They can double as skincare.” And she considers shelling out for Phylia De M.’s follicle-stimulating serum, Connect (ahalife.com), money well spent. “I lost half a head of hair after I had my daughter and this has made a difference in growth. It’s amazing.”
Cheap Pick
Most of de Ruiter’s beauty purchases come from Whole Foods Market, including hand cream and pure coconut oil, which she repurposes as a hair treatment. “I comb it through before bed and sleep with it in,” she says.
Luxe Appointment
Whenever she’s home in Toronto, de Ruiter heads to Gee Beauty for a facial that entails microdermabrasion, oxygen therapy, extractions, a massage and a collagen mask. “It’s a treat, but I leave so fresh-faced and glowy that it’s worth it.”
Added Value
De Ruiter still likes straightforward facials. “Melanie at Dr. Ava Shamban’s office in Beverly Hills does a very basic hour-long facial, where she mostly just does extractions,” she says. “And sometimes all I really want is someone to deep clean my skin.”
Hairstylist: Mara Roszak
With clients like Elle Fanning, Emma Stone and Kate Mara, you could say Mara Roszak is the go-to coiffeur for young Hollywood. But just because she’s booked solid tending to the manes of celebs doesn’t mean she neglects her own.
Smart Splurge
Roszak relies on fragrance to set the tone for her day. Depending on her mood, she switches between BYREDO Byredo Gypsy Water (byredo.com) and Tom Ford Neroli Portifino (sephora.com). “Neither one is heavy or overwhelming,” she says. And, of course, endless compliments only add to the pleasure of wearing them. “I always get stopped with both scents.”
Cheap Picks
When not on the road for publicity tours, like the one she just finished with Cara Delevingne for Paper Towns, Roszak does at-home treatments on herself. She applies coconut oil on dry hair from the mid-length down and leaves it on for anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. Then, in the shower, she applies L’Oréal ParisTotal Repair 5 Replenishing Mask (well.ca). “I place a shower cap on for five to 10 minutes to allow the steam to penetrate, much like a treatment
at the salon.”
Luxe Appointment
Having worked in the beauty industry since she was 17, Roszak has grown up making skincare a priority. She splurges on facials and skincare, including retinol, from LA-based facialist Shani Darden. “It wasn’t until I met Shani that I actually noticed a difference in my skin after just one facial,” she says. “She turned me on to products that have since changed my overall complexion. It’s worth every penny and I know it will pay off long-term.”
Added Value
Some of Roszak’s most relaxing time is spent at a Korean spa, where she finds she can always get in last-minute for a scrub and a massage. “There is something very relaxing about the repetitive scrubbing motion,” she says. “Afterward, my skin feels so soft and refreshed.”
Creative Director, Brother Vellies: Aurora James
Designing shoes that are handcrafted in Kenya,
Namibia and South Africa keeps this Brooklyn transplant (by way of Toronto) in a near-constant state of motion. So while she has yet to find a go-to facialist in her adopted hometown, she makes thrice-yearly visits to her favourite Marrakech hammam.
Smart Splurge
James pledges allegiance to Kérastase Elixir Ultime (kerastase.ca). “It’s expensive but it makes a difference.” And she never leaves home without RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Cream (rmsbeauty.com). “Net-a-Porter will deliver it the same day or next, you can use it
everywhere and it’s super small, which makes it easy to travel with.”
Cheap Picks
Nivea Creme (nivea.ca) is the designer’s longtime favourite drugstore buy. “After getting sunburned on a school field trip, I put this on my face and lips,” she says. “I noticed that it worked wonders on my lips.”
Luxe Appointment
Being a shoe designer means James’s feet are a focal point, so she books weekly pedicures. “People are always like, ‘I love the shoes you’re wearing, I’m going to Instagram them,’” she says. “It’s a lot of pressure to keep your feet looking good.” Whenever she travels to Marrakech for work, James can’t leave without a scrub at La Sultana hammam. “My skin glows afterward; it’s a very decadent experience.”
Added Value
James prefers a no-frills local spot for blowouts. “I’m mixed and have found via trial and error that the Dominican salons kick ass at blowing out my hair,” she explains. “It’s by no means a relaxing experience—they yank your head around for sure—but they get it done fast, do a great job and it only costs $40.”
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Beauty spending strategies are equal parts non-negotiables that we’ll open up our wallets for and shortcuts that get the job done. We talk to a quartet of cool girls (including a model and a stylist) to reveal theirs. Click through to learn about the spending habits of your Instagram crushes, including where they get their nails done and the luxe facials they can't live without.
Model: Soo Joo Park
While she’s circling the globe—thanks to L’Oréal Paris and Redken spokesmodel gigs, editorial spreads and being muse to Karl Lagerfeld—Park is still a laid-back Californian at heart.
Smart Splurge
To prevent the strains of her hectic schedule from showing up, Park prioritizes skincare. “I’m constantly working and travelling, so I need to protect my skin and prevent sun damage,” she explains. Her must-haves: Koh Gen Do Gommage Spa Gel (kohgendocosmetics.com) — “You massage it in and the skin cells kind of collect”—and Dior Hydra Life Youth Essential Concentrated Sorbet Essence (dior.com)—“It’s not sticky or greasy.”
Cheap Pick
Rather than going to a nail salon, Park employs her design school education for D.I.Y. nail art. She uses L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nail Colour (lorealparis.ca) to whip up unique designs, such as mixing two colours to create a marbleized effect. “I’m right-handed, so everything looks better on my left side, but I do OK,” she says. “I love art and painting, so I just really enjoy it.”
Luxe Appointment
When she travels to Korea for work, Park seeks out a local facial spot. She books wherever she can get a last-minute appointment or tries recommendations from friends. “I usually go for something that hydrates and addresses pores.”
Added Value
Park prefers getting massages at “simple” spots like Health Trail in New York City’s Chinatown rather than swanky spas. “I like that it’s straightforward, because I need someone who knows how to get the knots out. When it’s too fancy it makes me slightly uncomfortable.”
Stylist: Jessica de Ruiter
When not pulling clothes for shoots or styling ads, this LA-based stylist finds balance in a “clean” lifestyle. She prefers natural hair, skin and body formulas.
Smart Splurge
Committing to an eco-friendly philosophy means spending a bit more, but de Ruiter points out that her favourite products— RMS Beauty Eye Polish (rmsbeauty.com) and Lip & Skin balm and Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner (iliabeauty.com)—contain nourishing ingredients like coconut oil and cocoa butter. “They can double as skincare.” And she considers shelling out for Phylia De M.'s follicle-stimulating serum, Connect (ahalife.com), money well spent. “I lost half a head of hair after I had my daughter and this has made a difference in growth. It’s amazing.”
Cheap Pick
Most of de Ruiter’s beauty purchases come from Whole Foods Market, including hand cream and pure coconut oil, which she repurposes as a hair treatment. “I comb it through before bed and sleep with it in,” she says.
Luxe Appointment
Whenever she’s home in Toronto, de Ruiter heads to Gee Beauty for a facial that entails microdermabrasion, oxygen therapy, extractions, a massage and a collagen mask. “It’s a treat, but I leave so fresh-faced and glowy that it’s worth it.”
Added Value
De Ruiter still likes straightforward facials. “Melanie at Dr. Ava Shamban’s office in Beverly Hills does a very basic hour-long facial, where she mostly just does extractions,” she says. “And sometimes all I really want is someone to deep clean my skin."
Hairstylist: Mara Roszak
With clients like Elle Fanning, Emma Stone and Kate Mara, you could say Mara Roszak is the go-to coiffeur for young Hollywood. But just because she’s booked solid tending to the manes of celebs doesn’t mean she neglects her own.
Smart Splurge
Roszak relies on fragrance to set the tone for her day. Depending on her mood, she switches between BYREDO Byredo Gypsy Water (byredo.com) and Tom Ford Neroli Portifino (sephora.com). “Neither one is heavy or overwhelming,” she says. And, of course, endless compliments only add to the pleasure of wearing them. “I always get stopped with both scents.”
Cheap Picks
When not on the road for publicity tours, like the one she just finished with Cara Delevingne for Paper Towns, Roszak does at-home treatments on herself. She applies coconut oil on dry hair from the mid-length down and leaves it on for anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. Then, in the shower, she applies L'Oréal ParisTotal Repair 5 Replenishing Mask (well.ca). “I place a shower cap on for five to 10 minutes to allow the steam to penetrate, much like a treatment
at the salon.”
Luxe Appointment
Having worked in the beauty industry since she was 17, Roszak has grown up making skincare a priority. She splurges on facials and skincare, including retinol, from LA-based facialist Shani Darden. “It wasn’t until I met Shani that I actually noticed a difference in my skin after just one facial,” she says. “She turned me on to products that have since changed my overall complexion. It’s worth every penny and I know it will pay off long-term.”
Added Value
Some of Roszak’s most relaxing time is spent at a Korean spa, where she finds she can always get in last-minute for a scrub and a massage. “There is something very relaxing about the repetitive scrubbing motion,” she says. “Afterward, my skin feels so soft and refreshed.”
Creative Director, Brother Vellies: Aurora James
Designing shoes that are handcrafted in Kenya,
Namibia and South Africa keeps this Brooklyn transplant (by way of Toronto) in a near-constant state of motion. So while she has yet to find a go-to facialist in her adopted hometown, she makes thrice-yearly visits to her favourite Marrakech hammam.
Smart Splurge
James pledges allegiance to Kérastase Elixir Ultime (kerastase.ca). “It’s expensive but it makes a difference.” And she never leaves home without RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Cream (rmsbeauty.com). “Net-a-Porter will deliver it the same day or next, you can use it
everywhere and it’s super small, which makes it easy to travel with.”
Cheap Picks
Nivea Creme (nivea.ca) is the designer’s longtime favourite drugstore buy. “After getting sunburned on a school field trip, I put this on my face and lips,” she says. “I noticed that it worked wonders on my lips.”
Luxe Appointment
Being a shoe designer means James’s feet are a focal point, so she books weekly pedicures. “People are always like, ‘I love the shoes you’re wearing, I’m going to Instagram them,’” she says. “It’s a lot of pressure to keep your feet looking good.” Whenever she travels to Marrakech for work, James can’t leave without a scrub at La Sultana hammam. “My skin glows afterward; it’s a very decadent experience.”
Added Value
James prefers a no-frills local spot for blowouts. “I’m mixed and have found via trial and error that the Dominican salons kick ass at blowing out my hair,” she explains. “It’s by no means a relaxing experience—they yank your head around for sure—but they get it done fast, do a great job and it only costs $40.”){kind=link}