Dec 18

Dec 18 Time to Sparkle

Mary Jane Greenhalgh talks to Alessandra Steinherr about her essentials for Christmas, how to choose the best beauty products and gets some tips on how to stay calm and retain a glow over the festive period.

Alessandra Steinherr has become one of the most famous names in the UK’s beauty industry. Half German and half Austrian but born in Belgium she spent six years as Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan magazine followed by more than a decade in a similar role at Glamour magazine. Alessandra works as a consultant with some of the world’s top beauty brands amassing an amazing 185,000 followers on Instagram.

Alessandra was on a fleeting trip to do a master class for Chanel and I was lucky enough to meet her and was immediately mesmerised by her extraordinary knowledge of all things beauty and her infectious love for life. She was deliciously down to earth and due to her refreshing personality, we went thoroughly off script!

We sat eating dark chocolate together in the stunning new beauty hall at Selfridges, Trafford Centre which has an amazing array of new brands and products to choose from. Even as a person who has reasonable knowledge and love of the beauty industry, it was a somewhat daunting experience as it was hard to know where to start but she reassured me that this was exactly what she was here to do with her masterclasses.

“I like to physically show people the products and how they work and love the interactive masterclasses. I spend so much time on Instagram but also love the live element too of a master class. I also love the brand Chanel
and their products - they are iconic, classic and gorgeous to use and always remain true to
their brand.”

Alessandra likes to mix a range of different products and price points and believes it is all about making beauty accessible. She is not ‘anti’ anything and mixes Chanel with her Primark range for example. She has been trained over the years to always have a critical eye on products and their price point and firmly believes in products that really work. On her Instagram, her Sunday Facial explains the ingredients and products. What is clear is her amazing knowledge which she uses to help give her followers an informed decision of what products would be best for them. It was really interesting and personally, I love this mix and match approach which seems really sensible.

It is hard to believe that Alessandra had just flown in from Mauritius. She looked radiant, calm and has a natural sun-kissed glow and does not appear at all jet lagged. Her secret is that she treats flying as a spa in the air wearing no make-up and applying a rich moisturiser and a face mask. To save taking a cleanser she recommends the Japanese Ko Gen Do Spa Cleansing Water Wipes.

“Always pack snacks,” she goes on to say. “Good quality nuts and dark chocolate and also tea bags. My favourites are Jasmin and Green tea. I stay away from alcohol, drink lots of water and keep off starchy foods if possible and go for protein-based options where possible.”

And your sun-kissed glow I ask? “I love the look of the sun but don’t go in it and in fact will walk on the opposite side of the street to which the sun is shining on. “Fake tan?” I ask looking for recommendations…. ‘Tan Luxe and Vita Liberata are my favourites and I use a foundation brush to apply fake tan on your face as it makes it blend really well.” Other products she would not be without are Estee Lauder Night repair and Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Colour by Chanel.

As a Christmas tip, she recommends threading your eyebrows to help lift and give shape to our face and hers look amazing so this is on my list of things to do!

For Christmas, Alessandra will be with her family in Austria. She loves to keep the peace and has learnt over the years that too many cooks spoil the broth so either her mother or aunt will be in charge and she will enjoy assisting everyone and will do their make up for them. She loves to relax, let go and be grateful at Christmas time. For those concerned about black bags under the eyes and wrinkles she recommends Blue Serum Eye from Chanel and Laura Mercier Secret Brightening powder which glides on and doesn’t go into wrinkles.

“You are either a lip or eye person and eyes are good to accentuate over Christmas if you are eating and drinking”

Alessandra will be asking for a Cartier Ring and the Chanel No.5 Red Edition on her Christmas wish list. Finally Alessandra shared with me her favourites from Chanel to help create the most perfect Christmas party look...