Canadian celebs spill their best beauty secrets

Rachelle Lefevre

Rachelle Lefevre’s big break came when a television producer spotted her working at a sushi bar in her native Montreal. While she may be best known for her role as the vampire Victoria in the Twilight film series, this versatile actress has starred in everything from comedic films (2010’s Barney’s Version) to TV dramas (Boston Legal) to sci-fi thrillers, such as CBS’s series Under the Dome, based on a novel by Stephen King (the second season will air this summer). The 35-year-old, who is now based in L.A., stars with John Cusack and Ryan Phillippe in the upcoming abduction thriller film Reclaim.

Her beauty secrets: Air travel and the constant makeup and bright lights can be dehydrating, even though I drink a litre of water before a flight, one on the flight and one after! So every night I use Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate face oil. When I’m not working, I want a fast, foolproof routine, so I use Clé de Peau Beauté sunscreen with SPF 50 on my face every day, rain or shine. And I don’t know how I’d live without Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer.

I use Nars cream eyeshadow and add Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner if I want an extra pop. I don’t suntan, so I fake it with Cargo bronzing powder. On lips, it’s usually just lip balm (Fresh brand and Dr. Hauschka are faves), but when I want colour I wear Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipstick; it’s light and hydrating.

Her hair secrets: My hair requires a lot of attention because it’s naturally curly, dry and frizzy. I’m embarrassed to admit that when I travel, hair products take up the most room in my suitcase! I don’t use the shampoo and conditioner offered in hotels: As an environmentalist, I cringe at the waste of all that single-use disposable packaging.

I use Kérastase Reflection Cleansing Balm because it doesn’t dry out my hair. I change conditioners all the time depending on what I feel my hair needs most-hydrating, frizz control or strengthening. Then I use Marc Anthony Moisture Gloss Diamond Shine Finishing Glosser to tame my curls.

Image: Genevieve Charbonneau

Elaine Lui

Known to her millions of fans as “Lainey,” Toronto native Elaine Lui is the author of the popular celebrity gossip blog LaineyGossip.com, which she launched in 2004. Today, the 40-year-old is a reporter on CTV’s Etalk and co-host of the daily talk show The Social. Her new book is titled Listen to the Squawking Chicken: When Mother Knows Best, What’s a Daughter to Do? A Memoir (Sort Of).

Her beauty secrets: One of my favourite products is Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant. It’s made with a rice-based powder; you add a few drops of water to it in the palm of your hand to make a paste. I use it as my exfoliant and then I always apply sunscreen.

I carry hand sanitizer on planes, as well as Aveeno lotion. My hands get so dry! And since I like to have good nails before I fly, I get a manicure a day or two before.

Every three to four months, I’ll see Vancouver-based skin specialist Lorinda Zimmerman for her cold laser treatment (also known as low-level laser therapy). The non-invasive treatment for the face tightens pores and gives skin a plumped look. I’ve been doing it for two years now, and it has changed my skin. Some nights I don’t even have to put on moisturizer. I get the treatment more often when I have a special event coming up. It takes about an hour and there’s no downtime; afterwards, I can head over to the studio and go on-air right away.

Image: CTV/Todd Fraser

Eva Avila

Singer/songwriter and actress Eva Avila rose to the spotlight after win­ning Canadian Idol in 2006. The 27-year-old native of Gatineau, Que., followed that up with a 2007 Juno nomination for New Artist of the Year, a contract with Ford Mod­els and a debut album that included the double-platinum hit “Meant to Fly.” Her new album, Dream You Better, is due out in early summer.

Her beauty secrets: I absolutely love Kiehl’s products; they do wonders for my skin and hair. I use their Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser, Ultra Facial Moisturizer and Creme de Corps body cream on a daily basis. I also travel with Kiehl’s shampoo and conditioner.

I have a soft spot for The Body Shop body butters because they smell so yummy. And I always pack L’Occitane en Provence hand cream, especially in the winter.

I’m a huge fan of L’Oréal Paris mascaras, especially the Voluminous ones. Most days I just wear a bit of mascara, lip balm and maybe a touch of blush. But when I have to go all out for a show, I start with a light powder, then concealer and blush. I do a smoky effect with eyeshadow, also using a liquid eyeliner, mascara and a touch of black eye pencil for my inner lash line. As for lipstick, the level of intensity always varies, depending on the occasion.

Finally, I’m a big fan of the Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips. They really work!

Image: EOne Music Canada

Jessica Holmes

Best known for her antics on the CBC’s Royal Canadian Air Farce from 2003 to 2010, comedian Jessica Holmes is far more than a Celine Dion impersonator. The hilarious 40-year-old Torontonian is an actress, author (her book is titled I Love Your Laugh: Finding the Light in My Screwball Life) and motivational speaker. This month, she will be in Vancouver hosting the Love Her benefit gala for Ovarian Cancer Canada. Here’s how she looks great on the go.

Her beauty secrets: When it’s time to get serious about my hair, I get a L’Oréal Professionnel Steampod treatment at a salon. It’s one step further than flat-ironing: My hair stays the exact same shape overnight, and it looks thicker and shinier.

I use foundation every day. It’s hard to find one to match my pale skin, so I mix M.A.C’s palest yellow foundation, Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 in NC15, with L’Oréal Paris’s palest pink, called True Match Super-Blendable Makeup in Por­celain-W1. And I’ve discovered something for a gal like me who has rosacea, sensitive skin and combination skin: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. I don’t even bother with moisturizer; I just put this on, then apply the foundation. It tricks people into thinking I didn’t actually spend a year and a half getting red, dry, blotchy skin in the Venezuelan sun.

Before a photo shoot or performance, I use Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs tanning spray on my body. I don’t want to look like I’ve been in a basement most of my life.

Image: Tim Leyes

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