Welcome to Take Note – a weekly rolodex of all the best in skin, wellness, and makeup from industry insiders. Each week, we’ll profile one woman who’s privvy to beauty, covering everything from recommendations to routines. Today’s guest of honour is Sisley General Manager for Australia and New Zealand Irene Robinson.

Irene has helmed the local division of the cult French skincare brand for quite some time, so it’s fair to say her own skin habits are finely tuned (plus, her busy day to day means she’s perfected the balance of speed, simplicity and effectiveness). From office-appropriate face masks to a brilliant fine-hair styling tip, Irene shares all her best beauty advice below.

Sisley General Manager for Asstralia and New Zealand Irene Robinson

SKIN

GRAZIA: What does your morning skincare routine look like? 

Irene: I love using Sisley’s Buff and Wash Facial Gel in the shower. It’s easy and gentle. I follow with the Floral Toning Lotion and then a serum – right now I am using our new Phyto Blanc Le Concentre Pure Bright Activating Serum, it has completely transformed the radiance and clarity of my skin. I follow with Sisleya L’Integral Anti-Age Eye and Lip Contour Cream and then the L’Integral Anti-Age Cream for the face. I’ll mix up the ritual depending on the season and how my skin is feeling.

GRAZIA: And evening?

Irene: I am very disciplined about ensuring that I always take care of my skin in the evening. It’s part of my bedtime routine. If I have been wearing make-up I will do a double cleanse starting with Sisley Lyslait Cleansing Milk and then two pumps of the Sisley Radiance Foaming Cream. I always apply a light-textured eye fluid like Sisley’s Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid followed by Sisleya L’Integral Anti-Age Cream for the face. I avoid using rich eye creams at night as I wake up with puffy eyes if I overload the skin.

GRAZIA: If you were heading to a deserted island, what three products would make the cut?

Irene: This is tough! Sisley Eau Efficace as it removes make-up from the face and eyes plus cleanses and tones skin in one step; SPF and Hair Rituel by Sisley Precious Hair Oil to keep my fine hair from frizzing out! I would probably sneak a few drops on my body too as it smells divine.

GRAZIA: Favourite SPF formula?

Irene: I like La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra-Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF50+ and Bioderma Photoderm Max Tinted Cream SPF50+.

GRAZIA: Best treatment out there?

Irene: I especially love the Black Rose Cream Mask which smoothes, plumps and brightens the skin in 10 minutes. I leave it on overnight. The Sisley Eye Contour Mask is also a favourite as it is completely transparent – you can use at your desk without anyone knowing.

GRAZIA: Skincare cheap thrill?

Irene: Sufficient sleep!

GRAZIA: And splurge?

Irene: Sisley Supremya At Night. It’s like the reverse gear for skin ageing.

GRAZIA: What’s your go-to method for treating a pimple, fast?

Irene: This has been a lifelong mission. I apply a compress infused with Sisley Purifying Re-Balancing Lotion, press onto the spot and hold for a couple of minutes. Then I apply a little Origins Super Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Gel and try to resist extracting!

MAKEUP

GRAZIA: Who is your makeup muse?

Irene: I get inspiration from women everywhere. I love looking for the little details that make you look twice at how someone is wearing their make-up.

GRAZIA: What’s your go-to look? 

Irene: Radiant, natural looking skin with foundation where needed and highlighter to eliminate and illuminate any shadowy areas. I love Sisley Phyto Eye Twist Pencil in No. 1 Topaz with No. 9 Pearl and lots of black mascara for an easy daytime look. Cheeks are usually Sisley Phyto Blush Twist #6 Passion and lips are usually a warm, natural coral colour. To amp it up I love a red lip such as Le Phyto Rouge #42 Rouge Rio.

GRAZIA: Holy grail foundation?

Irene: Sisleya Le Teint Anti-Aging Foundation. It feels and looks seamless, adds instant radiance and has added skincare benefits. Using a flat foundation brush gives my skin a polished look.

GRAZIA: And most used lip colour?

Irene: Le Phyto Rouge in 12 Beige Bali and 32 Orange Calvi.

GRAZIA: How do you shape and fill your brows?

Irene: With great patience! I use Sisley Phyto Sourcils Design 3 in 1 starting from the centre of the face and working outwards. I then use the built in brush to work through the colour followed by a touch of the highlighter under my arch. Then Phyto-Sourcils Fix to set.

GRAZIA: Signature fragrance?

Irene: Eau du Soir.

GRAZIA: What does your vacation makeup kit look like?

Irene: I always pack more than I need! My go-tos are tinted moisturiser, Phyto Touch Illuminator Bronzer, concealer, Les Phyto Ombres Eyeshadow 20 in Silky Chestnut, a couple of the blush colours and a nice bright lip colour.

HAIR

GRAZIA: Favourite shampoo and conditioner duo?

Irene: Hair Rituel by Sisley Volumizing Shampoo and Restructuring Conditioner.

GRAZIA: Can’t live without styling product?

Irene: Hair Rituel by Sisley Volumizing Spray. It adds texture and density without being sticky or stiff. You can brush with ease and it smells beautiful on the hair.

GRAZIA: Hair tool you use constantly?

Irene: My Dyson hairdryer. I also love my Briogeo Scalp Massager. I use it in the shower to massage conditioner through the hair. It gives the scalp a great circulation boost.

GRAZIA: Best styling tip you can share?

Irene: Creating and retaining volume is a priority for me. Rather than misting a volumising spray directly on top of your hair, lift your hair up in sections and gently mist underneath each section. Re-mist again halfway during the drying process for longer lasting volume.

GRAZIA: Who cuts and colours your hair? 

Irene: Simon Bright, Creative Director of Jonny + June Hair in Paddington, he gets it right every time.

GRAZIA: Celebrity dream hair? 

Irene: Jennifer Lawrence or Scarlett Johansson – they are able to wear so many colours and styles. Also, I have blonde hair envy too.

WELLNESS

GRAZIA: In a sentence, what’s your approach to wellness?

Irene: Do one thing each day that makes you feel good.

GRAZIA: Do you have a food philosophy? 

Irene: I love simple, rustic meals using quality ingredients. I pay careful attention to ingredients and what I’m consuming. I’m not extreme in terms of eating only organic or cutting carbs, I just believe good produce is important. I am allergic to dairy, so that simplifies my options.

GRAZIA: What are some common meals in your food repertoire? 

Irene: I’m not really a breakfast person although I recently came across Silvia Colloca’s homemade granola recipe and I’ve become a huge fan. I have this with a banana and it fills me up. On weekends I’ll have eggs with spinach on sourdough toast. Lunch is usually a simple salad with tuna or chicken, soup in winter. Dinner is tomato-based pasta, fish, meat or vegetables. On weekends I love to go out and enjoy glass or two of red wine.

GRAZIA: In what ways do you like to move your body? 

Irene: I prefer to do exercise that is flexible and can fit around my busy day. I have recently discovered Sam Woods Facebook live 30 min classes and I love them. On weekends, I go canoeing in the harbour – it’s the best way to clear my mind. I also try not to use my car at all on the weekend. I either use my bike or walk with my shopping trolley!

GRAZIA: Final meal?

Irene: Pasta please and preferably in Puglia. Homemade saffron linguine with a simple tomato and seafood sauce, rustic bread and a garden salad with lots of olives. For dessert, an abundance of fresh figs and cherries with gelato and of course plenty of red wine and good company.

GRAZIA: Any supplements you take regularly?

Irene: I take an Inner Health Dairy Free Probiotic and am never without The Beauty Chef Wellness Spray in my handbag. Being non-dairy, I also take a calcium supplement each day.

GRAZIA: Any tips to ensure you sleep through the night? 

Irene: I am not a great sleeper, so I finish the night with herbal tea and have become addicted to my Slip silk eye mask. I can’t sleep without it! I find This Works Sleep Pillow Spray helps too. I have also recently discovered the CALM app. This app has sleep stories, sleep music and short meditations. I have my airpods handy and find that 95 per cent of the time I will drift off again after listening to one of the options. The key is to distract your mind from your active thoughts.

SHOP IRENE’s Edit Below

Slip Silk Eye Mask, $50. SHOP NOW

Sisley Phyto Blanc Le Concentre Pure Bright Activating Serum, $480. SHOP NOW

Sisley Phyto Blush Twist, $85. SHOP NOW