#MCBeautySpy: Giselle Farhat

The MyChameleon.com.au fashion buyer snapped her beauty kit

Are you a skincare, makeup, fragrance or hair girl?
My main focus is skincare. I try to make time for LED light therapy once a month, as well as skin needling and a Schrammek Green Peel at least once a year. My mum has operated her own beauty clinic since she came to Australia 40 years ago, and I only let her touch my skin. Most important is daily SPF, small amounts of vitamin A cream, a vitamin C serum, and a fructose-free diet. I use the O Cosmedics Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser daily, and an exfoliator once a week.
My hair is long so I get a good cut that doesn’t require extensive styling. Where possible, I use products that are mostly natural like Matrix Biolage hydrating shampoo and Sachajuan colour conditioner. A finishing product that works well for my hair is Bumble & bumble’s Brilliantine – it’s weightless and gives natural texture with a little polish.
At the moment, I am indulging in fortnightly massages with Melissa at Body Bright in Bondi and supplement this with daily dry body brushing and a homemade oil blend (almond, vitamin E, olive, and coconut oils) as a moisturiser.

What's your go-to weekday look?
I apply a Kiehl's sunscreen, Laura Mercier primer, Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation, and RMS Un-Cover Up concealer. For my eyes, I use Kevyn Aucoin mascara, Givenchy Ombre Couture Cream Eyeshadow, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer and a dab of Jao Goe Oil on my lips. Depending on the program for the day, my hair is either out or in a ponytail or knot. I alternate between two fragrances, Narciso Rodriguez and Acqua Di Parma Mirto di Panarea.

And your after-hours style?
When attending events I tend to build on my weekday look. To create a smoky eye, I use eyeliner made with natural coal from Morocco, and a khaki or burgundy eyeshadow like Nars Eyeshadow Stick in Dark Angel. My lips are always bare so I use Chanel Rouge Coco Baume. For an evening scent, I’m drawn to slightly heavier fragrances such as Bottega Veneta Eau Legere or Prada Infusion d'Iris.

Beauty muse?
I admire Daria Werbowy’s effortless and low-key approach to beauty. Her look is natural and slightly undone in a way that perfectly shows off her unique features.

You trained as a shoemaker, and previously worked as a money manager at Telstra – help me justify expensive shoes to my partner?
A well-made shoe demands quality materials and a high level of craftsmanship. The focus and attention to detail that goes into the design and production process is what makes the finished product so beautiful and luxurious, and the result is a pair of shoes that combine an artisanal quality with longevity. Even if you only invest in one shoe per season, it is well worth it.