Beauty secrets of former Marie Claire editor Margaret Wu

Margaret Wu, the former beauty editor of Marie Claire Taiwan and Madame Figaro Taiwan, launched her own skincare, For Beloved One, in 2003.

The line was a result of the 47-year-old's frustrations with the lack of beauty formulas made for Asian skin.

The label became the first Taiwanese brand to be launched in Sephora stores in China.

She hit the beauty jackpot in 2003 when she launched the Melasleep Whitening Bio-Cellulose Mask, which moulds superbly to the skin and keeps it nourished and hydrated.

Celebrity fans of the brand apparently include actresses Gong Li, Carina Lau and Barbie Hsu.

Read more below as she shares her beauty secrets with women.

What is the one beauty product you cannot step out of the house without?

I am a fanatic when it comes to keeping my skin healthy and my complexion bright. So I cannot leave the house without knowing that my face is fully protected.

I love using my For Beloved One Melasleep Whitening High Sunscreen Protection SPF50**, as it provides protection while being gentle on my skin. It is also hydrating and the smooth texture relieves my dry skin without being greasy.

Which is your favourite perfume?

I wear scents to put myself in a good mood. I like those with a green floral note. One example would be Chanel No. 19.

Green floral scents are fresh but not too sweet. They have more depth and are much more elegant; so they suit my personality.

I also love Guerlain perfumes, especially the Aqua Allegoria line for their herbal scents. I own almost the entire line and use the perfumes often.

What is the one grooming service you cannot do without?

Definitely spas. I go to Mary Spa in Taiwan, where they offer facials, body massages and hair spas.

At work, I spend a lot of time in front of the computer and tend to have aches in my shoulders and back. So I visit the spa at least twice a month for a full body treatment with wood-scented oils that relax me.

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

Botox, because it is difficult to produce skincare with visible anti-ageing results.

But through Botox, firming, lifting and anti-wrinkle results can be achieved instantly. I go for Botox injections twice a year.

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

I once went on an extreme diet that requires you to eat nothing for the entire day, but drink 500ml of salt water for breakfast; consume chilli powder capsules and maple water for lunch; and a litre of lemon juice for dinner.

By the second day, I had a painful burning sensation in my stomach and was sent to the hospital's emergency room. After I confessed to the doctor about my extreme diet, he told me it was dangerous as it comprised nothing but water and condiments that were not only harmful to the body, but also did not provide any nutrition.

That was when I realised that, when it comes to dieting, one should make the effort to eat healthily and be patient for the results. Quick fixes are never the way to go.

This article was first published on Jan 23, 2015.
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