With all of the conflicting stories out there about which beauty treatments, diets or exercise trends really work – most of us tend to go off the recommendations of our friends.
When your bestie is glowing after a night on the town, she may tell you that a pineapple juice cocktail saved her skin, while your endlessly energetic neighbor may share the dietary secret to unlock your own healthiest self.
To tap into the wealth of this insider knowledge, I asked some of the city’s brightest faces what they stand by for the best in beauty, health and fitness. From tricks to longer lashes and natural metabolism boosters, to how often they wash their hair – find out how these gorgeous girls-on-the-go keep it together. (Hint: apparently coconut oil is the holy grail ...)
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CIEU LAN – Tech Entrepreneur
DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY SECRETS? Facial oils, and drinking hot water with lemon every morning.
DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS IN YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS? I worry about anything being drying, or with bleaches. I love oils – nothing with water or alcohol.
WHAT ARE YOUR FOOD OR DIETARY STANDBYS? I love to cook whenever I can, so that I know the ingredients that go into my food. I like to cook with coconut oil.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR EXERCISE? Combination of hot yoga like Bikram paired with cardio. I like “jumpy pumpy” classes like Brooklyn Boulders or 305 that feel energetic but fun. On the weekends I like to walk a lot or play tennis.
ASHLEY GAIL HARRIS - Art Consultant
DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY SECRETS? I love Mario Bedescu products because they’re fragrance-free. Their rosewater facial spray is amazing.
DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS IN YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS? Yes, that stuff makes me nervous. Especially deodorant.
WHAT ARE YOUR FOOD OR DIETARY STANDBYS? I am very big on probiotics and feeding your cravings. Sometimes I really desire a steak or piece of red meat and that usually means my iron is low. It's all about a happy balance. Keeping consistent and listening to what your body really needs and craves.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR EXERCISE? Swimming! I swim laps at my gym.
MEGHAN ASHA – Co-Founder of FounderMade
DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY SECRETS? Coconut oil on my face at night!
DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS IN YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS? Yes – and fragrance! I met this woman with the most amazing skin and she told me the secret is to stay way from anything with fragrance. She doesn’t even want to be around people with fragrance, sounds extreme – but she looked incredible.
WHAT ARE YOUR FOOD OR DIETARY STANDBYS? Lots of protein
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR EXERCISE? 30/60/90
MAY LAN DONG- Co-Founder of FounderMade
DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY SECRETS? I’m really into oils… Squalene oil is amazing, jojoba is good for everything, pomegranate and almond oil too. And lots of water!
WHAT ARE YOUR FOOD OR DIETARY STANDBYS? I’m obsessed with ginger in everything: in juice, tea, food… When I’m hungover I never go for junk food or anything fried. I always reach for something healthy like protein and clear liquids.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR EXERCISE? I play soccer once a week, do yoga, and I just discovered the Stairmaster, yeah – I’m a little behind… Lately I’ve been using weights too and noticed a huge difference!
ADENA GEIGER – Editor at The Examiner
DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY SECRETS? Coconut Oil on my face and hands, and I love to do a honey mask once in a while. I also just started using Nordic beauty products.
DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS IN YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS? Yes!
WHAT ARE YOUR FOOD OR DIETARY STANDBYS? I cover a lot of nightlife events, so I tend to consume a good amount of booze. I try to drink green juice at least once a week and I have a Juicepresso at home, which I find super easy to clean and compact. I’ve gotten into parsley because it’s especially good during menstruation and it prevents anemia. I buy cage free eggs and am mostly pescetarian.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR EXERCISE? I used to do yoga until I hurt my knee recently. Now I’ve been riding my bike all over Greenpoint and Williamsburg, which is where I live.
FRANCINE LI – Co Founder of Socket Group
DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY SECRETS? Sleep! And I try to cut down on alcohol and sugar, eat protein and lots of greens.
WHAT ARE YOUR FOOD OR DIETARY STANDBYS? Lately I’m obsessed with the taro pudding at Hu Kitchen. I go to the Mashbar and get that with vanilla chia, the nut medley and berries.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR EXERCISE? Well, I just did some facial warm ups…does that count?? I sometimes do yoga, and I snowboard.
KIRSTEN SMITH – WhyDid.com
DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY SECRETS? I use coconut oil for everything – especially as an eye makeup remover. I also put castor oil on my brows and lashes to make them grow. It really works!
DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS IN YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS? Yes
WHAT ARE YOUR FOOD OR DIETARY STANDBYS? I’ve started eating peanut butter as a treat instead of sweets. I keep healthy snacks around at home, so I munch on broccoli instead of chips.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR EXERCISE? Yoga, Pilates and running
ANNA VORHEES – The Vipe active wear
DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY SECRETS? I darken my brows, and I don’t over wash my hair. Use dry shampoo!
DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS IN YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS? To be honest? No
WHAT ARE YOUR FOOD OR DIETARY STANDBYS? I love a breakfast smoothie with berries, almond milk, almond butter, banana and chia seeds to keep me going through the morning. And I love Gwyneth Paltrow’s cookbook!
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR EXERCISE? I spin and lift weights, yoga and Pilates…I’m totally over the treadmill.
ERIN FRANKEL - New York Social Diary / Potluck video
DO YOU HAVE ANY BEAUTY SECRETS? Coconut Oil for everything, vitamin C serum daily, and for thicker, fuller hair I only wash about 2x per week. I also get a monthly facial at Exhale Spa
DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS IN YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS? Yes I’ve recently started becoming more aware, but I’m still learning.
WHAT ARE YOUR FOOD OR DIETARY STANDBYS? I try to drink green juice daily, but I don’t do cleanses. I eat out a lot because of my job. So I eat healthy for breakfast and lunch so that I can get whatever I want at dinner. I love spicy foods, which also boost your metabolism.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR EXERCISE? I love working out to offset all of this eating! I mix it up and take classes at Pure Yoga, Exhale, Cyc, Barry’s Bootcamp, Physique 57 and more – about 4-5 times / week.
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