Categories: Beauty

Inside the beauty routine of Pandora Sykes, journalist and podcaster


by Holly O'Neill
20th Mar 2021

Journalist and podcaster Pandora Sykes shares her beauty must-haves with Holly O’Neill.

My weird make-up hack is… I use lipstick or lipgloss on my cheeks and also the tip of my nose, in winter, for that “freshly cold” look.

The last beauty item I bought… was Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation, €45 – having never worn foundation before, I realised, aged 30, I needed it!

Santal 33 by Le Labo, €222

My signature scent… I have several. I love Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules, €82, Santal 33 by Le Labo, €222, and anything unisex or for men by Loewe.

My hair favourites are… L’Oréal Tecni.ART Fix Anti-Frizz hairspray, €13.90, L’Oréal Paris EverStrong Thickening Shampoo, €6.50, and Conditioner, €6.5, and Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray, €31.

Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick, €40

Three products I always have in my make-up bag are… Dior Addict Lip, €36.50, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla, €30, and Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Ibiza, €40.

The beauty appointment I never miss is…Getting my highlights and roots done.

The worst beauty mistake I ever made was… Bleaching my hair. I looked like a baby hamster.

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, €9

The first thing I put on my skin in the morning is… Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, €15.

The last thing I do before going to bed while pregnant is… was smother my bump, breasts and bum in Bio-Oil, €18.32.

Everyone should try… an Elemis massage. Heaven.

 MAC Spice Lip Liner, €17.50

The best beauty advice I ever received was… To use lip-liner. I love Spice by MAC, €17.50.

My lifelong lipstick love is… I am a lipstick whore! Pink, peach or red – love them all.

I never travel without… Earplugs and paracetamol.

Garnier Micellar Water, €2.79

I remove my make-up with…Garnier Micellar Water, €2.79.

The first beauty product I ever bought was… An Impulse body spray.

I’ve always wanted to… Be able to do my own hair like [London hairdressers] Hershesons do it!

Avène Tolérance Extrême Cream, €21.99

My all-time favourite moisturiser is… Avène Tolérance Extrême Cream, €21.99.

I feel most beautiful when… I’m on holiday, with a tan.

I would really like to try… Micro-blading, but I’m too scared.

Essie Nail Polish in Fishnet Stockings, €9.99

My favourite nail varnish is… Essie. I like bright red or navy.

To me, being healthy means… Being well-rested and well-fed.

Malin+Goetz Tobacco Candle, €44

My three current obsessions are… are Elemis Aching Muscle Super Bath Soak, €47.50, the tobacco-scented candle by Malin+Goetz, €44, and Riverdale on Netflix.

Photography by Pandora Sykes.