Celebrity hairstylist, Renya Xydis, may spend her days in the top Sydney salons she owns and runs giving clients enviable locks, but she is quite the beauty lover at heart. Here, she shares her skincare routine and beauty rules.
Beauty is all about confidence and independence. I don’t think I truly found it until I was 45 — before that, I struggled. I work all day in front of a full-length mirror [in salons such as Valonz], which doesn’t help. I have an inner strength now and I like who I see.
For years I had jet black hair, but it made my skin look blue. Then I had balayage for a while but it wasn’t quite right for me. When I landed on pink, I knew I’d found my shade because it just makes me feel happy. To keep it looking healthy, I use Wella Fusion shampoo ($34.50) and conditioner.
I’m careful with heat tools, because I want the S-bend without the damage. Dyson’s Corrale ($699) is a gamechanger because the copper plates capture the strands and allow you to style hair quickly at a lower heat, which ensures it feels strong and really shines.
I’m 54 now and see a dermatologist [Dr Van Park] regularly. I get skin tags zapped (which are an annoying part of ageing), a little botox between my eyebrows and advice on how to care for my skin. For me, it’s just like going to a hairstylist.
Now that my kids are grown-up, I have time for my skin. In the morning, I apply a Cosmedix cleanser with a Foreo cleansing brush, and at night I massage Chanel’s Huile de Jasmin face oil into my skin with a gua sha amethyst tool. I also love the facials at ONDA [ondabeauty.com.au].
When you’re older, make-up needs to be hydrating, so I use Chanel foundation and blend with a big Laura Mercier brush ($110 for a set). Then I add colour — I have more fun with it now than I ever did when I was younger.
I’m a freak for lipstick. I’ve got lilacs, pinks, orange and so many shades of red. My favourites are always from Gucci Beauty ($53) or Charlotte Tilbury ($50).
I don’t like wearing perfume, so I add scent to my hair. I go with Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir ($110) occasionally, but mostly I rub in bergamot or orange essential oils from the health food store. There’s always one knocking around in my bag.
Text: Bauer Syndication