Beauty secrets: Debbie Wild

DEBBIE WILD, 49

The studio lifestyle director of Jo Malone has been in the beauty industry for 28 years - 16 at Clinique and 12 at Jo Malone.

In her time at Jo Malone, Ms Wild has travelled to more than 40 markets - from South Korea to Kazhakhstan - and introduced the brand to retailers, the press and consumers. Ms Wild was recently in Azerbaijan to open the brand's latest store there.

What is the one product you would not step out of the house without?

I have been using the Jo Malone Vitamin E Gel every day for the past 12 years. It makes mature skin look dewy and younger.

My skin becomes thirsty whenever I travel and this is a nourishing treatment. I also use the balm to moisturise my lips and cuticles, as well as tame brows and highlight skin. Sometimes, I use the gel as a mask - I apply a thick layer and lie in the bath with it.

I exfoliate every day and use the Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula to polish my skin gently and get rid of the flakiness. My make-up stays on afterwards because the skin is smooth.

What is the one grooming service you cannot do without?

Margaret Dabbs in Marylebone, London, does the most amazing manicures and pedicures. I leave the place feeling light and wonderful. I try to go there at least once a month.

What, in your opinion, is the best beauty invention?

An eyelash curler. I have short and straight lashes and the tool helps to open my eyes. I like the one by Bobbi Brown because it is light and crimps every lash.

What is your favourite perfume?

Jo Malone Nutmeg & Ginger Cologne. It is soft and clean, and I can wear it day and night. To make the scent warmer, I mix it with Wood Sage & Sea Salt. For a fresher spin, I mix it with the Grapefruit Cologne.

What is the most ridiculous thing you have done in the name of beauty?

I have my lashes permed every summer, so I do not have to wear mascara when I go swimming. When I tell my husband that I am going to perm my lashes, he thinks that I am from another planet.

Give us a beauty tip.

To make your perfume last, first apply a body cream on the hot spots on your body, such as the crook of your arm and behind the knees. This will turn your body into a scent diffuser.

Then, spray the perfume onto your palm and press it gently on the skin. Do not wipe it in - let the perfume breathe and bloom.

Accessorise with perfume as you would with jewellery - spray a lighter scent on your hair, another fragrance on your front and another one on your back.

This way, you create your signature scent and will not smell like anyone else.

This article was first published on Nov 21, 2014.
Get a copy of Urban, The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.