August 11, 2022

This is what beauty editors really buy

The products beauty editors buy with their own cash

Meet the two beauty editors behind Australia’s first, subscriber-only beauty newsletter, gloss etc. Sarah Tarca and Sherine Youssef have over two decades of experience in the beauty industry between them, having both worked as beauty directors at marie claire and written for titles such as Madison, Cosmo, Gritty Pretty, Broadsheet and more. In November 2020 they decided to put all that beauty knowledge to good use, creating gloss etc, an Australian-first subscriber only beauty newsletter that lands in inboxes weekly (you can subscribe here). It’s what they call “an extension of the WhatsApp groups they have with their friends” – no BS reviews, tips from the industry’s best, and advice that they’ve gathered and honed over the years. It’s the stuff they recommend to their mums, the advice they dish to their besties. Everything that gets a place in their newsletter (which looks like a magazine beauty page) is something they’ve personally tried, tested and loved. It’s like being a part of their inner beauty circle, and you know they won’t lead you astray. Here, we chat to the girls about all things beauty and have them shop our site for their top beauty buys.

What do you think is the most overrated beauty product?

Sherine: I don't like answering this because what I personally is overrated/has no place in my life, might be someone else's lifesaver. But if I had to say one, it would be neck cream. I don’t get it, if it’s good enough for my face, it’s good enough for my neck too.

Sarah: Eye cream. Yes they feel nice to apply and all that, but does it do something that your moisturiser can’t do? Probably not. That said, I’ve used and liked a few over the years because they feel good on tired eyes (and that’s enough sometimes) so I’m not immune to their allure.

Why do you love working in beauty?

Sherine: The innovation and technology keeps it from being boring and cyclical. There's always a new angle to the product or the category.

Sarah: Ditto. Just when you think you can’t possibly write about another cream, some crazy new research comes out (stem cell research applied to beauty is huge right now) or new categories are born (epigenetics, ingestibles) and it hooks you back in. Plus, it’s FUN. It’s fun to try these innovations first hand, and however trivial it may seem, beauty makes you feel good. I love recommending a product to someone and it really working for them/their skin.

What is your go-to method for winding down after a long day?

Sherine: A bath. I do the whole thing - candle, headrest, music.

Sarah: It used to be a bath before I had my two kids… generally now it’s a 10 minute yoga nidra meditation before bed, and maybe a little gua sha before hand (I often do this while watching TV and find it strangely relaxing).

What product do you have way too much of?

Sherine: Ummm, honestly? Probably all of them. But they're half-used and in various stages of testing. It's my job, leave me alone!

Sarah: Lip products. Specifically in shades of red and pinky-nude. A friend looked in my bag the other day and was horrified that I carry around 20ish in various formulas (gloss, matt, shine – you name it) “just in case”. I don’t know what “just in case” scenario is, or why it would require so many (am I really hungry? Am I running a triathlon? Am I about to be invited to a ball? Am I drinking a lot and need to reapply? who knows?!). But every time I take one out, they seem to multiply. I also hoard sunscreen, because I live in fear of it running out, and my skin being bare before the sun.

If you could pick one product only to use for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Sherine: SPF. It's the single best thing you can do for your skin. All skin types, all ages, always. Every day. Forever. The end.

Sarah: See above. Every beauty ed will tell you the same. The almighty Oz has spoken.

The beauty ed’s edit: Everything they’re adding to cart from our site.

Ingredients Face Oil Complex

I like using this as a base instead of foundation (if I'm having a good skin day) for a dewy, glossy glow, or add a drop to my existing foundation. I just massage a couple drops in and my skin drinks it right up.

Standard Procedure Sunscreen SPF 50+, $30

I love that this works on both the face and body, and I also appreciate that there's no scent (am not a fan of fragranced sunscreen on my face).

Tokyo Milk Dead Sexy Salt Soak, $25

I love a bath, and this one is especially delicious before bed. It combines epsom salts with a fragrance combination of deep vanilla, exotic wood, white orchid which is just about as bougie as a bath gets.

Noosa Basics Ultra Rich Shea Butter Cream, $31

I’m a mum so if something is multi-purpose just sign me up and take my money. Is it a moisturiser? A cuticle cream? A dry-spot-saver? It’s EVERYTHING! This is cult for a reason: it works everywhere, is super nourishing, hydrating on even the roughest skin and is great for protecting the skin barrier.

Standard Procedure Lip Balm SPF 50+ $12

Literally everyone forgets that your lips are a part of your face — and they need protection too. So this guy lives in my handbag (alongside many other balm buddies) and is fab not only for the high, broad spectrum coverage, but the mango butter and vitamin E means it goes on smooth, hydrates, and it smells like coconut which pretty much seals the deal. I should also say that I second Sherine’s rec of the Standard Procedure sunscreen, because it’s one I can get on the whole family, without complaints, and that is no mean feat.

The Perfume Oil Co Perfume Oils in Santal and Leaf, $84.95

I always have at least one of these perfume oils in my handbag. The size means it even fits neatly in a clutch and the roll on makes for easy touch ups, plus because they’re an oil, they LAST. My current faves are Santal, inspired by Le Labo’s Santal 33 and Leaf, which is a delicious fig inspired by DS & Durga’s iconic Debaser scent.

To read more of Sarah and Sherine’s beauty recommendations, sign up to the gloss etc newsletter here (it’s double opt in so confirm via email) or follow them on Instagram here.