5 questions with Elizabeth Arden’s Mary Beth Mazzotta

SINGAPORE — Cleansing, toning, moisturising. These are essential skincare steps Mary Beth Mazzotta never misses before she retires for the night.

The Vice–President of Regional Marketing Southern Hemisphere for Elizabeth Arden said she absolutely cannot get any sleep if she hasn’t completed her ritual. “I have girlfriends who fall asleep with their make-up on while watching television. I can’t fall asleep without removing my makeup,” she said.

And, yes, Mazzotta’s skin looks perfect. And if there’s one product you’ll find on her counter, it would be Elizabeth Arden’s Prevage line. “I’ve been using Prevage every day since we first came out with it in 2005 and I don’t think I’ve missed a day since. I can’t live without it.”

Q: Why steps are necessary to complete your beauty regime?

A: When I wipe the toner across my face and the dirt comes out, I’m like: “Oh my God, I was going to sleep with my dirty face on my pillow?” You don’t want to go to sleep with a dirty face. You have to be really conscious (to remove) all the impurities and any kind of toxins you picked up during the day and really cleanse your face. Cleansing and toning prepares my skin for the night cream to do its work.

Q: Travelling as much as you do, what are some of your beauty essentials?

A: I use all my Prevage products and the Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant on a plane. They are absolute beauty must-haves. And because I need things portable when I’m on a plane, I always keep the Ceramide capsules in my pocket. It’s easy because during security checks, you don’t have to put it in a zip lock bag. I always make sure that I have capsules in my pocket. I did quite a few (jobs) with Catherine Zeta-Jones when she was our spokesperson and she said the same thing: When she travels on an airplane, she always keeps the capsules in her pocket.

Q: What about your style essentials then? What do you normally lug around halfway across the world?

A: Way too many shoes! A travel secret: I never leave them at the top of the bag. I make sure I pack my jeans — because they are sturdy — and one layer of shoes, and another pair of jeans and another layer of shoes ... you don’t want the heel to break, you don’t want them crunched.

Q: Any favourite shoe labels?

A: Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik. I started buying the Yves Saint Laurent Tribute shoes because they are so comfortable. As you know, when you wear heels, it’s not always a comfort story. But they are really comfortable! (And) yes, I do splurge on shoes. Luckily, my daughter didn’t get the disease!

Q: Do you have a beauty tip to share?

A: Women must use a moisturiser with SPF. No matter where you are, it’s very important to use (sunscreen protection). And moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! I’m a moisture freak. In terms of my make-up routine, I always update my lipstick. After I eat, I always use a lipstick with a dab of Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant. I never leave home without it. Zhang Weifang