Nadine Haobsh, known to many in the blogging world as Jolie, has been a "beauty insider" for years. As a former beauty editor for top magazines, one of the top beauty bloggers and an author of two beauty books, Nadine knows her stuff. Read on to see what products Nadine personally uses and what her inspiration is.
If ever there was a beauty insider, it would be you. With features in some of the hottest magazines and TV shows, you've shown time and time again that you know your stuff. Was your mother a big influence when it came to your love of beauty? What beauty advice has she given you along the way?
Funny enough, my mother was less of a beauty influence than my father was! I suppose he was the original metrosexual: he had a skincare regimen, would travel to Paris and bring back glamorous lotions, potions and glass bottles full of delicious fragrances, and he never left the house without being impeccably put together.
My mother never hesitated to bolster my self-esteem, tell me how beautiful I was (no matter what!) and instill in me the importance of sunscreen. My father, on the other hand, was a true beauty junkie and had a real taste for the finer things: it's on him that I blame my perfume addiction!Let's talk about skin care; tell us about your skin care regime? Do you have a favorite product line? What's your "Holy Grail" skin care product that you couldn't live without.
For somebody who's so skincare-centric, I'm pretty equal opportunity: some of my favorite products are by Neutrogena (the Oil-Free Acne Wash is on my all-time, can't-live-without-it list) while I also have a soft spot for Obagi Nu Derm products, which are about 10 times the price. The latest line I can't get enough of is Nude Skincare: it's luxurious yet also organic and has made a tremendous difference in the quality of my skin (try the Cleansing Facial Oil and Moisture Balance).
As far as my Holy Grail skincare product (dear God, how can I pick just one?) it would probably have to be Retin-A: it zaps fine lines and zits and helps keep my skin bright and fresh. (Now, if you want to talk makeup, I'm all about Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals foundation - ob-sessed!)
Your first book, "Beauty Confidential", a bit of a beauty-tip bible, has been a smashing success. Tell us about your new book, "Confessions of a Beauty Addict", and what new things we can expect.
I'm so excited for Confessions to be released! I've been working on it for a few years now and it's my baby. The book is a funny look at the beauty industry, based on the years I spent working at magazines as a beauty editor.
The story sees Bella Hunter, the top beauty expert at the most exclusive magazine in the world, accidentally spill all her industry's secrets to the New York Post, get blacklisted, and have to start over at the bottom of the barrel.
I'll be honest: it will probably not be winning the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, but it is definitely a deliciously fun read!
Many people might be surprised to know that you were born in 1980. What has it been like being, most likely, the youngest beauty expert in town?
I love how the blogosphere has exploded, because it's allowed people with passion and knowledge about certain fields to get the word out and chat directly with readers. I'm obviously younger than a lot of others in the beauty industry (although, at 28, I'm no spring chicken!) but those who read my blog know that I've tried pretty much every product under the sun and am simply trying to pass on what knowledge I've gleaned since I started eight years ago.
I've been keeping Jolie for over three years, so I'm now completely accepted and almost part of the status quo---hell, every magazine now has a beauty blog!---but when I began the blog, it felt really revolutionary. All I want is for women to feel and look good, at the best possibly price, using products and tips that actually work…not those foisted upon us by advertisers. (And if I can truly convince people that true beauty comes from self-confidence, and that supermodels and actresses are not the end-all, be-all of beauty---believe me, it takes a village of stylists, makeup artists, colorists, personal trainers and, most importantly, photoshoppers---I consider my work done!)
Your age has made you an ideal expert to share knowledge with other young people. What three skin care tips can you share with other women in their 20's?
Listen up, fellow twenty-somethings: no matter how tired you are, no matter how early you have to wake up, no matter how many margaritas you've had…wash your face before going to bed! I'm newly obsessed with Nude Skincare Cleansing Facial Oil, but any cleanser will do: just get the dirt and makeup off your face!
Next up, for the love of God, use sunscreen: the higher the protection, the better. Make sure it's broad-spectrum (which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays), and choose a sunscreen labeled "physical blocker" (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) if you have extra sensitive skin, since "chemical blocker" sunscreens (think Mexoryl, Parsol 1789 and Avobenzone) can irritate it. Apply it half an hour before leaving the house---every single day, even in the winter---and reapply often, if you can. (I know it's not always practical to do, especially if you work in an office and have your face slathered in makeup during the day, so at the very least, be liberal with it when at the beach.)
Finally, infuse your skincare regimen with as many good-for-your-complexion ingredients as you can. This means your day moisturizer should be chock-full of antioxidants, which help combat free-radical damage and prevent aging, and your night moisturizer should have some combination of peptides, retinol, vitamin C and/or glycolic acid. (Think: protect during the day; exfoliate and rejuvenate at night.) Start when you're young, and you'll look dewy, fresh and soft for decades to come!
Read more from Nadine Haobsh at her website JolieNadine.com.
