The best retinol night serums at every price point

Retin-A is the gold standard in active skincare for exfoliation and reducing wrinkles. Ahead, three hard-working products for every price point.

Kiehl’s comes in powder form for fresh activation with each use; Verso is a great all-rounder with vitamins C, E and A; build up usage slowly with Youth to the People.

Beauty Insider

Each fortnight, Stephanie Darling gets inside the head of an industry expert or media personality. This week, she talks to Lakshmi Pillai.

Born in Zanzibar, Pillai has a bijou clothing shop in Sydney’s Woollahra with a carefully curated collection of pieces hand-crafted from gloriously delicate fabrics. “When you work with communities of weavers and embroiderers,” she says, “the final fabrics and pieces are so special because of all the hands and hours it has taken to make them.”

What I’m loving right now On my buying trips to Delhi I have discovered saffron oil! I found this Ayurvedic oil a few months ago and I add a few drops to my moisturiser before bed. It’s rich and hydrating.

Beauty icon [Dutch actor and model] Talitha Getty. She encapsulated the bohemian style of the 1960s and my fascination with the exotic glamour of Marrakesh. I also adore Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur – she had elegance, grace and glamour.

The rule I live by Love what you love with all your heart.

Best beauty tip Drink water.

Favourite colour White. If you’ve ever visited my store, you’ll know how much I love colour. But there is something peaceful and calming about all-white.

Must-have beauty treatment Hair massage oil with Ayurvedic herbs. I put a few drops in the ends of my hair.

Favourite exercise routine Reformer Pilates and yoga.

I never leave the house without A pair of sunglasses.

Add to Cart

Gucci Flora Gorgeous Jasmine EDP (myer.com.au, $169 for 50ml) invokes the heady days of summer thanks to armfuls of jasmine blended with notes of benzoin, sandalwood, mandarin and magnolia. This is a very pretty, floral fragrance.

Ask Steph

Should I coat top and bottom lashes with mascara?

Do a fresh dip of mascara for the top lashes, apply two coats and then use whatever is left on the mascara wand for the finer lower lashes. This avoids excess build-up and keeps both sets defined but not overloaded.

Follow Stephanie Darling on Instagram @mrssdarling. Send questions to stephanie@darlingbeauty.com.au.

Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.