AM to PM with Holly Thomas

It wasn’t easy, but after some pretty persuasion and a fun tête-à-tête at Caribou Coffee, Holly Thomas agreed to dishing on her beauty secrets for Politics of Pretty’s AM to PM feature. Here, the Refinery29.com DC Editor shares her beauty secrets, getting facials at Alchimie Forever and why everyone needs an Intraceuticals Clarity Blemish Wand.

“Since I work from home, my morning routine is pretty simple: I wake myself up with a hot

cloth pressed over my face, then slather on an intensive moisturizer. I’m currently using Clinique’s Moisture Surge Intense Skin Foritfying Hydrator. If I don’t have meetings or photo shoots (as in, I’m working from my couch), I skip any sort of foundation. If I have to be out and about, I use a tinted moisturizer and the Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette. I recently picked up Boots Soft & Sheer Tinted Moisturizer, and really love it- I love pretty much all Boots products, because they’re affordable but still feel like a little luxury. In the summer when I have a light tan, I use Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint in Bronze, because it makes my skin look gorgeous and glowing. I always, always wear mascara (MAC False Lashes) and keep lip balm and Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey handy.

At night, I take off eye makeup with the best makeup remover ever- Lancome’s Bi-Facil. I just went back to using Cetaphil as my nightly cleanser because it’s so gentle and easy on my dry skin. Then I use SKII Moisture Cream (I dread the day when I run out!) and apply a little Boots Organic Super Balm around my eyes and on my lips (if I don’t fall asleep first).

I have very dry skin which I treat by using an extra-gentle cleanser and the most heavy-duty moisturizer I can find. I don’t get facials often, but when I can, I go to the Alchimie Forever showroom and get pampered by Rosario, the wonder aesthetician there- it’s the only facials I’ve ever had that didn’t make me break out afterward. But really, I find that my skin looks best when I drink more water, cut down on coffee and tea (so hard when the tea kettle is always ready) and am really diligent about exfoliating and moisturizing.

“If you have dry skin, Chanel’s Sublimage Essential Regenerating Mask will help you wake up with what looks like a new face. Seriously– it’s amazing and well worth the $200 if you’re plagued with dry, flaky skin. I’m on a major hunt for a new scent these days, and I just fell in love with Acqua di Parma’s Colonia Intensa— never mind that it’s made for men, it’s perfect for me! Here’s a secret: I’ve been using the after shave balm as my daily fragrance because it’s lighter and more subtle than the eau de cologne. BB creams are the hot new thing, and I just started experimenting with Clinique’s BB Cream. Bottom line, I’m in love. It offers more coverage than a run-of-the-mill tinted moisturizer, and it actually feels good on your skin.”