gloss etc

The softness this $46 treatment gives my colour-treated hair? Wild. I use it once a week and look, I can’t say for sure whether it’s protecting against colour fade or UV damage, but I can say my hair looks and feels so deeply conditioned in a way that completely belies the fact that I use hot (HOT) tools every day. –Sherine #glossetc #isitworthit #joshwoodhair #hairmask

Like many of us, Icy Ling’s first beauty inspiration was her mum. “She taught me so much, from weaving traditional Chinese medicine into my skincare philosophy to face mapping.” Born in Beijing, Icy moved to Australia alone at 17. She got her start working behind beauty counters (Clinique, Elizabeth Arden and Chanel) while also writing beauty columns for Australian Chinese newspapers and magazines. After leaving retail, Icy dipped into fashion, launching a small capsule collection that sold surprisingly well. “But I realised fashion design wasn’t what I wanted to keep pursuing,” she says. “So I moved into styling instead, helping with magazine events, and eventually that led me back into publishing.” Today, @icybutterfly is the founder of IC&Co, a marketing agency specialising in luxury fashion, beauty and lifestyle. She’s also become one of Australia’s go-to experts on Asian beauty trends and engaging Chinese consumers. Her mum’s practical, prevention-over-correction beauty philosophy still shapes Icy’s routine today. “I’ve had a few non-invasive treatments because of work, and almost no injectables. I eat well, use the right products, follow a consistent routine, rest whenever I can and exercise regularly.” Whenever I see Icy on the beauty circuit, I’m always awestruck by her palpable glow (would you believe me if I told you she’s 42?) and her hair: it’s a silky, shiny waterfall of health, i.e., everything my hair is not. Her secret? “It starts with the scalp, and treat the scalp and the lengths separately, because they usually need different kinds of care.” Lucky for all of us, I stopped ogling her hair long enough to ask Icy for her serum secrets. –Sherine  #glossetc #thefastfive #serums

Diversification is important 🤓 #glossetc #fragrancecollector #scentlover

Where we’ve been and what we’ve seen lately… Sarah: 1. @clairebridgett did a collab with @glamtheory.cosmetics 2. It’s a travel brush set for girls on the go (all of us then) 3. @carolinaherrera has a new addition to her Good Girl fragrances: Jasmine Absolute. 4. To celebrate we decorated cakes with ingredients that matched the notes. 5. Look mum! I (sort of) made a cake! 6. Attended the first ever MECCAversity panel discussion 7. And what a panel! @zotheysay @drfatimakhan_ @drshammitheesan talking hormones and your skin. 8. Welcomed @vichylaboratoires_aunz to Oz with a very French soirée 9. The theme was “a touch of red” , I love a theme. 10. There was a violinist! Sherine: 11. I tried one of the new treatments at @endota , the 60-minute full-body Aromatherapy Massage. There were heated compresses and a scalp massage, too. Just a regular Tuesday afternoon. 12. @loccitane held a dinner to celebrate the redesigned Almond collection. 13. This is a great way to do a long table. 14. Clockwise from left: the iconic shower oil, now with new clothes, some more of the range, edible tablescape (not sure if it was, but I snacked), almond martini stamped with the new logo. 15. @zoskinhealthanz squeezed in a lunch at Ursula’s just before they shut their doors for good. 16. I cornered @dr.yalda for a chat about the latest treatment I’m doing for my forever bugbear, pigmentation. She prescribed a ZO Skin Health routine, plus a different laser treatment. I WILL TRY ANYTHING. 17. RIP Moreton Bay bug pasta 🥺 #eventlife #beautyevents #glossetc

Yes yes, you’re absolutely right, you don’t need another lip oil… but maybe you need a lip oil stick?  Tarte Maracuja Juicy Plumping Lip Oil, $46: At first glance, I thought the pom-pom style applicator was cute, but then I discovered that as the sponge gets filled and soaked with product, it becomes hard to control (I found a “dabbing” application technique was best). It’s a shame because what’s inside is great, not as slippery as some other oils, and the shades are subtly tinted and very flattering. NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Slick Click, $23: This is thick, almost like the oil has solidified. I windscreen wiper-ed it across my lips a few times, and it warmed up some. The feel on lips is almost balm-like — not heavy, but not as light as the oils I’m used to — and the finish is glossy but doesn’t move around like traditional glosses.  –Sherine #glossetc #twoofakind #lipoilstick

Girl priorities 🤷‍♀️ cc: @chanel.beauty

Maybe tag your significant other so he doesn’t embarrass himself when shopping for your Mother’s Day gift. #glossetc #howdoyousay #frenchfragrance

A Morning In My Life… I’m going to be real: its madness, but there’s calm in the routine. My non-negotiables: yoga, coffee (hey, it’s selfcare) — and my skincare routine, no matter what (or who) is screaming for my attention. And lately that’s meant @vichylaboratoires_aunz . Sound familiar? They’re the 94-year-old French pharmacy brand whose formulas combine science with mineral-rich Vichy thermal water, 100% pure and natural volcanic water sourced from the French Auvergne region — and yep now we can get our hands on it in Australia. Oh and *only* 80k dermatologists recommend* the brand. This is the LiftActiv Collagen Specialist 16 range, which taps into the emerging “longevity” skincare category to work on 16 signs of ageing, including collagen depletion and loss of firmness and elasticity. I’ve been layering the Collagen 16 Serum, Eye Cream and Day Cream under my makeup daily, because we all know the best looks — in fashion and in beauty — always rest on quality bases, and that means hydrated, smooth skin. —Sarah *Survey conducted among the dermocosmetic market carried out by APLUSA and other partners between January - June 2025, involving dermatologists in 31 countries. #glossetc #vichylaboratoiresaunz #collagen16 #meandmycollagen #AD

Leaving this here for anyone who needs it: a private fragrance consultation @libertineparfumerie to find your new scent is all a girl wants. Bubbles, optional, falling in love with at least five new fragrances, unavoidable. Forward accordingly

Guess the good news is… it’s not just us/you? #glossetc #weaskedtheyanswered #hairshedding #whyismyhairfallingout

Recent deliveries 📦 —Sherine #glossetc #justdelivered #beautydelivery

I always say to Sarah that I work better with parameters, so for my latest “what’s in my iPhone” post, I decided on a theme: the last… 1. Hair inspo I added to my “show @kirbylagohair ” folder: OK yes, I have maybe half as much hair as Natalie Portman, but I think I can pull off something similar-ish. Maybe? Will see come August.  2. Recipe I saved (but let’s be honest, probably won’t make): creamy parmigiano chickpeas courtesy of @hannahwilding_ 3. Newspaper link I shared: “The Great Ozempic Experiment” in the @nytimes . Key takeaway for me: “Technology moves fast, while science accumulates slowly. Humans have a history of rushing ahead with new technology, well before understanding how it affects us. (Just think of smartphones and ultraprocessed foods.)” 4. Pop culture thing I got excited about: the Practical Magic sequel! I rewatch the first movie a lot.   5. Newsletter I read: “Estée Lauder Is Spending $40 Billion on Puig. Fragrance Is the Next Big Bet” on Branding with Benefits. @camillemoore always has the most insightful, easy-to-understand analysis. I recently interviewed her for an upcoming feature for @afrmag and can confirm she is also lovely.  6. Reel that made me laugh: @davi87dp makes regular appearances in my sisters and girlfriends group chats.  7. Substack note that made me stop scrolling: compelling photography is one of the things I miss most about magazines.   8. Comment I made in the group chat: expect to see @ladyacacia ’s review of this @atelierlumira fragrance in an upcoming issue.  9. Fashion app I used: @fashionphile . I’m looking for a navy bag and have very specific requirements, so I’m about one year into the search. Send help.  10. Holiday destination I researched (and by “researched” I mean half-heartedly googled because I’m not sure how I feel about travelling this year): Scotland and Wales. That’s Dean Village in Edinburgh.  –Sherine #glossetc #iphonedump