After first contacting South African blogger Leigh, we have become friends with her as fast as we fell in love with her passion for beauty, with the Cape Town-based writer contributing to literally every magazine out there – from online sites to glossies like Cosmo.
We don’t know how she does it but her work ethic is crazy and she somehow found the time to talk to us about all her loves – from beauty bargain hunting to big brand deception and using skin-boosting retinol in her daily routine.
Read about it, below;
SPICE: Hi Leigh! Please tell us, what does beauty mean to you?
Leigh van der Berg: Confidence.
What is your day-to-day beauty routine?
I wash my face before applying a retinol serum or cream followed by sunscreen. At night I use yet another retinol product and alternate it with an AHA cream. I never use both with toners or eye creams – few people really need them. For example, whatever ingredients you’re using to treat your face will also be suitable for your eye area. It’s not ‘delicate’, despite the beauty industries’ insistence. You don’t need to buy the same anti-wrinkle cream at double the price in a smaller pot to take care of your eyes.
Do you have a signature look?
I’m almost always wearing a wash of bronze eye shadow and a bright fuchsia lippie.
What would be your must-have beauty product?
Retinol serum. Retinol’s an amazing antioxidant that encourages your skin to produce more of its own collagen. It does increase sun sensitivity though, so be sure to team it with a good sunscreen.
If we were to open your makeup bag, what other brands and products would we find?
Lots! Giorgio Armani’s Liquid Silk foundation, Shiseido’s Radiant Lifting foundation, Lancome’s Effacernes concealer for eyes, Catrice Camouflage Cream for spots, Guerlain and Shiseido powder foundations, MAC’s blotting powder, The Body Shop’s Baked-To-Last blush in “Petal,” MAC’s eye shadow in “Tempting,” Elizabeth Arden’s liquid eyeliner, Bourjois’ Mettalise liner in “Brun Inoxydable,” Smashbox’s Always Sharp 3D liner in “Neptune”, Lancome’s black Hypnose mascara, a GOSH brow kit, MAC’s lipstick in “Lickable,” several Shiseido Lacquer Rouge lip colours, Essence’s lipstick in “All You Need Is Red” and MAC’s lipglass in “Flashmode.”
What are your beauty dos and don’ts?
I avoid facial skin care products in jars as air exposure degrades their ingredients. I look for good ingredients and formulations, and am not swayed by brands. I always wear sunscreen, regardless of whether it’s sunny or not, and I don’t bother with ‘beauty trends’ – I prefer to wear the shades that best flatter my skin tone, regardless of whether they’re ‘hot’ or not.
Whose makeup do you always admire?
Taylor Swift always looks pretty and fresh, and the Kardashian girls could teach everyone how to create a smouldering cat-like eye.
Can you please share an ‘oh no, I didn’t’ moment with us?
I once painted my nails metallic blue with my mom’s car’s touch up paint. Getting that off was ‘fun.’
If you had to give just one beauty tip or piece of advice, what would it be?
Prevention is better than cure. Using Botox, sunscreen and anti-wrinkle cream before wrinkles become deep set will make the world of difference to the future of your skin.
What is your beauty fantasy?
Being let loose in Sephora with an unlimited gift card. Or maybe inventing a self-tan that lasts for a month as opposed to a week.
If you could, what would you like to change in the beauty industry?
I’d love to wipe out deceptive brands that prey on women’s lack of knowledge regarding product formulation.
You can reach Leigh at Lipglossismylife.com or on Twitter via @Lipglossgirl.
Image source: Leigh van der Berg
