Holiday Beauty: Streicher Secrets

THE BEST IN BEAUTY
FROM THOSE WHO KNOW BEST

VIOLET GREY began with our search for the best eyelash curler. To find the answer, we formed a band of inside-Hollywood experts and editors — from makeup artists to movie stars — to test every eyelash curler against our rigorous set of standards (the VIOLET CODE). We tested on film sets, on red carpets, and in the back of Jack Nicholson’s limousine — and once we learned which curler would make our lashes curve and not crimp (Utowa, it’s from Japan), we moved on to mascara, lip stain, dry shampoo, and everything else a girl needs in her cosmetic wardrobe. On any given day, we are discovering, testing, and approving best-in-class beauty. The result is a discerning curation of products, tips, and inspiration deemed essential — the Industry’s Beauty Edit.

Industry insiders and VIOLET GREY contributors the Streicher sisters share their stylish holiday traditions, expert advice and seasonal beauty essentials.

Holiday Hobnobbing With The Streicher Sisters | #VioletGrey, The Industry's Beauty Edit

– STREICHER SISTERS / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN COIT

For their third Streicher Secrets file, Ashley, Jenn and Kristie, a sibling trio of highly sought-after red-carpet hair, makeup and brow artists, respectively, share their seasonal inspirations, favorite outings and expert advice for a fun and festive holiday.

December is, by far, our favorite time of the year. From our annual Streicher sisters holiday party to the many hours spent baking (and decorating) cookies in Kristie’s kitchen, winter is full of family traditions, both new and old. Our newest include a quick dinnertime getaway to The Old Place in Malibu (so cozy!) and ice-skating downtown, while the tried-and-true include spending Christmas day snowboarding and listening to classic ’40s holiday music. And of course, there are all of the festive parties. ’Tis the season to bust out that vintage number you’ve always wanted to wear and invest in a beautiful coat, which will make you feel pulled-together all season.

The secret to our merriment? The holidays are also about balance. You can feel the mixture of stress and excitement in the air, so it’s important to take a step back and make sure you’re taking care of yourself and having fun. This lies in the equilibrium between exercise and rest, dressing up and getting cozy, throwing a rad holiday party for friends and spending time with family at home, and, of course, the necessary evenness in our beauty routines. It’s the perfect time of the year to try a new, bold lip color, shimmery eye shadow, or fun hair accessory, but it’s also important to consider how cold weather affects your skin, nails and hair (and then combat the effects of the cold weather appropriately!). We are excited to share all of this with you in our third VIOLET GREY column.

Love,
The Streicher Sisters
VIOLET GREY contributors

the
destinations

Feel the merriment of the season at our favorite holiday destinations.

– CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK, 1951 / BETTMANN/CORBIS

1 of 4

STREICHERS ON ICE
Pershing Square Ice Rink
Los Angeles, California

Reason to Love: Ice-skating is a fun holiday tradition, but also an amazing workout! There is a great outdoor rink in downtown L.A. during the holiday months [Pershing Square]. Or if we’re in New York there are rinks at Central Park (above) and Bryant Park.
Streicher Must: A go-to uniform of shiny leggings, leg warmers, gloves and a cape is equal parts fun and comfortable.

2 of 4

SPA DAY

Spa Vinothérapie Caudalie at The Plaza Hotel
New York, New York
Reason to Love: The hotel is decorated and festive during the holidays, and the spa’s scrubs, wraps and massages are luxurious and great for dry skin.
Streicher Must: The Crushed Cabernet scrub followed by the Honey and Wine Wrap feels heavenly and is great to slough off dead, flakey skin. And we always finish with a 15- to 20-minute session in the steam room.

3 of 4

A FESTIVE EVE

The Old Place
Malibu, California
Reason to Love: The Old Place is only 30 minutes away from the city but feels like you’ve gone back in time. It’s set back in the woods in an old post office, and the inside is cozy and full of history. There is normally someone playing their old piano, which Bob Dylan used to play when he would visit!
Streicher Must: Bring your appetite! Old-fashioned cocktails and beers are served in Mason jars, and the food is simple and comforting.

4 of 4

ONE STOP SHOP
STRIIIKE Salon
Los Angeles, California

Reason to Love: We’re happy to announce we just opened our first salon! It’s a family affair, and we finally get to work together as a team. The space has a laid-back vibe and a gallery-like aesthetic. Streicher Must: We’re really excited about the “lightening strike” service: It's a 20-minute appointment where you get all three of us working on you at once for a quick makeup, hair and eyebrow touch-up.

THE COLD WEATHER
SHOPPING LIST

The products necessary to ensure hair and skin stay in working order through the coldest season. (Then keep reading for our party shopping list.)

Shop Now

BYE-BYE, CHAPPED LIPS

“I don't know what I would do without my Hourglass lip oil. My lips get incredibly dry in the winter and I hate lip balm! This oil hydrates and ensures my lips will be in great shape to wear all of my favorite matte red lip colors.”
-ASHLEY STREICHER

Hourglass

Nº 28 Lip Treatment Oil

Shop Now

La Prairie - Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask

Shop Now

A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

“Make sure you keep the season in mind when taking care of your skin. A colder, dryer climate can take a toll, so be sure to have a heavy-duty moisturizer (I like Crème De La Mer) around, as well as a hydrating face mask. My favorite is the La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask.”
-KRISTIE STREICHER

La Prairie

Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask

Shop Now

Charlotte Tilbury - Charlotte's Magic Cream Treat & Transform Moisturizer

Shop Now

NOURISHING FACE CREAM

“If you’re like me your skin needs more moisture during the winter months. Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream is one of the only heavier creams that won’t make me break out or make my skin look oily. It also wears really well under makeup.”
-ASHLEY STREICHER

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte's Magic Cream Treat & Transform Moisturizer

Shop Now

Rene Furterer - Rene Furterer Karit_ Intense Nourishing Mask

Shop Now

THE WINTER STRAND SAVER

“I try to get a haircut or trim before it gets cold to keep my ends looking healthy. They may be all you see poking out of a cute wool hat, so it’s important they look clean. Then keep them healthy with a great hair mask, like Rene Furterer’s Nourishing Mask.”
-KRISTIE STREICHER

Rene Furterer

Rene Furterer Karit_ Intense Nourishing Mask

Shop Now

Leonor Greyl - Serum de Soie Sublimateur Nourishing & Protective Styling Serum

Shop Now

THE HEAT-DAMAGE HELPER

“It’s too cold to air-dry your hair in the winter, so I pull out the blow-dryer and waving iron a lot more. Ashley taught me to use this protecting serum before adding heat — and keep the iron off your ends!”
-KRISTIE STREICHER

Leonor Greyl

Serum de Soie Sublimateur Nourishing & Protective Styling Serum

Shop Now

“A hydrating facial is the best way to start the holidays, but if I don’t have time I’ll just use Sisley’s Express Flower Gel for a serious boost of moisture.”
-JENN STREICHER

SISLEY PARIS

EXPRESS FLOWER GEL HYDRATING AND TONING MASK

BUY AT SISLEY PARIS

Shop THE STREICHER SECRETS: HOLIDAY BEAUTY KIT
(Approved by The Violet Code)

SHOP NOW

the to-do
list

The key to a stress-free social calendar? Staying organized! Here’s what’s on our to-do list — and the products to accompany the festivities, below.

– WHITE CHRISTMAS, 1954 / PARAMOUNT/GETTY IMAGES

1 of 5

WATCH A CLASSIC FILM

KRISTIE SAYS: One of my recurring seasonal inspirations is Vera-Ellen in White Christmas. Her hand muff and matching hat are so elegant (above).

2 of 5

NAIL THERAPY

JENN SAYS: Weekly mani-pedis are required during the holiday season. Not just because there are so many great polish colors out now, but because cuticles tend to get extra dry and nails brittle in the cold weather. Olive and June is our favorite spot in Los Angeles. The salon is beautiful, and they have a great selection of polishes.

3 of 5

CREATE A PLAYLIST

JENN SAYS: We play holiday music 24/7 starting the day after Thanksgiving and all the way through December 25. We like Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Eartha Kitt and, my personal favorite, Vince Guaraldi Trio's A Charlie Brown Christmas. (We made a playlist of our favorite songs just for VIOLET GREY!)

4 of 5

VISIT THE THEATER

JENN SAYS: We see The Nutcracker every year; not only do we love the music, but the dancers, choreography and costumes are all very inspiring and beautiful. It’s an absolute must. There are many places to see a performance, but make sure it's accompanied by a live orchestra (not prerecorded music). The music is just as important as the dance! My favorite show was a year the Russian ballet performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

5 of 5

PLAY HOSTESS

KRISTIE SAYS: We Streicher sisters love to throw a good holiday party — we do it every year! Some essentials are a glazed ham, candy and caramel-coated apples and, of course, spiked and spiced hot apple cider.