Meet the experts
17 Aug 2007 00:52 AM | Posted by bh'sTracey
These are the beauty gurus that we keep on speed dial for secret tricks of the trade and absolutely expert advice.Make-up artists
Victoria Baron
Having spent the past four years behind the scenes of fashion shoots, Victoria sure knows a trick or two for faking flawless. An expert at translating looks from the catwalk to the sidewalk, she's a genius at giving trends a personal touch and getting glamorous on the spot. The two products Victoria couldn't live without: suncream and a wear-everywhere golden illuminiser.
Cassandra Rae Ferguson
All the best beauty smarts come with experience, and Cassandra sure has done the time. A Sydney-based make-up artist with more than eight years of experience in the Sydney and Perth fashion, television, film and bridal industries, Cassandra has also done the rounds as a sought-after freelance make-up artist, providing a professional, high quality, on-the-spot service to glam girls in need. A specialist in bridal make-up, Cassandra has had her handiwork featured in Bride To Be magazine. Find out more about Cassandra on her website.
Yolanda Lukowski
You might not know it, but you've probably already seen Yolanda's magic mascara wand at work. One of the nation's hottest session make-up artists, Yolanda has created looks for magazines such as Cleo, Cosmo and New Woman, perfected models for advertising campaigns like Alpha Romeo, Vodafone and Sony, prettied up stars backstage at the ARIAs and made-up famous faces like Lily Allen, Isabel Lucas, Indiana Evans and Josh Pyke. A mine for clever tips, tricks and foolproof techniques, Yolanda is bh's go-to girl for instant glam.
Check out Yolanda's portfolio at dlm.com.au
Hairdressers
Caterina DiBiase
The undisputed queen of hairdressing, Caterina currently wears the crown as both the Hair Expo Australian Hairdresser of the Year and the Australian Hair Fashion Awards Hairdresser of the Year. And it's not just Australia that's been dazzled by her snipping and styling prowess; Caterina was named one of the top 10 hairdressers in the world at the Next Look Awards in Italy in 2004. Melbournians are lucky enough to have her Heading Out salons in their own backyards, but she's sharing her secrets for chic, sleek locks with the rest of us in beautyheaven too. Phew.
Visit Heading Out Hair & Beauty Day Spas at headingout.com.au
Alan Coban
One of the country's leading salon and session stylists for the past 20 years, Alan Coban has had his fair share of glamour. But we love Alan because his philosophy is a simple, pedicured-feet-on-the-ground one: A great haircut is all about the individual, not just what's in fashion, so don't enslave yourself to short-lived trends. Alan believes in a personalised approach to highlight unique beauty and make every girl feel like a goddess, not just a carbon copy from the catwalk. And he's got some of the most clever haircare and styling tricks you'll ever hear up his sleeve.
Find Alan Coban salons at alancoban.com.au
Dario Cotroneo
Some people might call Dario's passion for creating the perfect 'do slightly obsessive, but he prefers to call it an "uncompromising attention to detail". And his legions of well tressed fans worship him for it. With a client sheet that reads like a celebrity roll call, Dario has created looks for Cosmopolitan, Shop Til You Drop and Harper's Bazaar and for TV campaigns for Westfield, Bonds and Madison magazine. He has also sculpted haute hair for Christian Dior. If you're in the know, you already know where to find Dario's luxury Sydney salon. Otherwise, visit Dario at dariocotroneo.com.
Toby Mellis
Trained at the Toni & Guy Academy in London (it's like Harvard for hairdressers), with 13 years experience working in Sydney and abroad, Toby is a true internationalist. Want to know what's hot in the style capitals of the world before the trends take off here? Covet the secret tricks behind the sexiest looks of the season? Need no-nonsense advice on products and how to use them at home? Toby's your on-call expert.
Toby Mellis is the creative director at Mantelpiece for Hair in Crows Nest, Sydney, 02 9439 8338
Brad Ngata
If you've ever been bewildered by the hairdresser-as-celebrity phenomenon, you've clearly never met Brad Ngata. Two-time Hair Expo Australian Hairdresser of the Year, voted Sydney's Best Hairdresser by SMH readers in 2003 and 2004 and one of the Sunday Telegraph's 100 most influential trend-makers, Brad is the man that starlets, It girls and fashionistas go to for a look like no other. With an almost eerie intuition for what will look amazing on anyone, Brad's the master of tiny tweaks that transform your look, instant glamour and the full on makeovers that turn girls next door into glamazons. But this superstar snipper isn't about ego. As his motto goes, when you're in Brad's hands, "You're the star, sweetheart!"
Visit Brad at bradngata.com.au
Skin specialists
Dr Gabrielle Caswell
BSc, BSc, MB;BS, BA, Dip. Pract. Dermatology (Cardiff, Wales)
Cosmetic Physician Dr Caswell began her career in science before she returned to medical school and was trained in surgery at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. After being introduced to injectable cosmetic medicine by a colleague, Dr Caswell became interested in the technology and tools that modern medicine can use to address skin conditions and now serves as the public relations officer for the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australia (CPSA). In addition to the internationally-recognised post graduate diploma in Practical Dermatology she earned from Cardiff University, Dr Caswell holds a Bachelor of science (major in biochemistry), another Bachelor of science (major in human biology) and is currently completing a Masters in Medicine (skin cancer) at the University of Queensland and is an expert in the fields of skincare and non-surgical and injectable cosmetic procedures. Dr Caswell operates Eyra Care Skin Clinics in NSW and the Gold Coast and also developed Caswell and Marcells, a brand of products used by beauty therapists.
Find out more about the CPSA or locate a doctor near you at cosmeticphysicians.org.au
Dr Garry Cussell
Beauty technology moves so fast and we're so swamped by options that it's tough for a girl to know what many treatments are all about, let alone which might be best for her. That's why bh keeps Dr Garry Cussell of the Facial Rejuvenation Clinic on call. A cosmetic physician clued up on all aspects of cosmetic medicine and aesthetic facial therapy, Dr Cussell knows the ins and outs of everything from hair removal and scar repair to skin rejuvenation, wrinkle reduction, anti-cellulite action and acne zapping. Not to mention pretty much everything in between. A firm believer that non-surgical cosmetic therapies are the ideal way to preserve our looks for the future, Dr Cussell is also a true lab coat – scientifically researched treatments are his stock in trade. Visit facialrejuvenation.com.au for more information.
Dr Geoffrey Heber
Dr Heber earned a medical degree with Honours from the University of New South Wales in 1980 and obtained an MBA from the University of Sydney in 1990. A Fellow of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery, a member of both the Australian Medical Association and NSW Cosmetic Surgery Credentialing Committee, and the founder/Vice President of the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australia (CPSA – NSW/ACT Division), Dr Heber is one of Australia's leading authorities on skin care and health. He is also the Principal of Heber Davis, a multi-disciplinary practice specialising in non-surgical cosmetic medicine, and the creator of the Ultraceuticals skincare brand.
Emma Hobson
As Education Manager (Asia, Australia and NZ) at the International Dermal Institute (IDI), Emma Hobson is a skincare and bodycare specialist with training in both Western and Eastern approaches to skin health and wellbeing. A respected speaker at international skincare congresses and conferences, Emma has been interviewed on television programmes such as Good Medicine and in magazines such as New Woman, Cleo and Vogue.
The IDI provides postgraduate education and internationally-recognised diplomas for skincare professionals. IDI also develops Dermalogica skincare products. Find out more at dermalinstitute.com
Dr Michael Elstein
BA, HDE, MBBCH, GRAD.DIP.PSYCH. COUNS., FACNEM, FAAAAM
A practising physician at the Sanctuary of Health Medispa in Baulkham Hills, Sydney, Dr Elstein specialises in anti-ageing medicine, allergy testing, counselling and psychotherapy, nutritional and dietary therapy, sexual health and weightloss. A Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Ageing Medicine, Dr Elstein is the CEO of the Neozest vitamin company and also the author of Eternal Health and You Have the Power - Why Didn't My Doctor Tell Me About This?
Find out more about Dr Elstein at eternalhealth.org and sign up for his newsletter at eternalhealth.org/index.php?page=subscribe
Dr Michelle Hunt
A Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists, a medical college responsible for the training and professional development of medical practitioners in the speciality of dermatology, Dr Hunt is qualified to offer expert advice on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin, nail and hair diseases and skin cancers.
Will Evans
Our natural beauty guru. Will is a specialist cosmetic chemist who has committed his career to researching and developing cosmetics and toiletries that are authentically natural and totally safe. He is an expert on the efficacy and function of botanical and organic ingredients. Will is also the man behind the A'kin and Al'chemy beauty brands.
Sally Wheat
Entering motherhood can open up a minefield of skin and bodycare questions. Which is where Sally Wheat comes in. Sally’s years of charity work within the children’s and women’s hospitals in Australia, nursing newborn babies and talking with doctors and midwives made her the perfect choice to head up Belli Skincare – a pregnancy safe skincare line that is recommended by obstetricians. Alarmed by the fact that so many skin care products contained ingredients that are harmful to unborn babies, Sally was impressed by the dedication and commitment to education of Belli’s creators, Dr Jason Rubin and Annette Rubin. Now Sally’s main focus is spreading the word and raising awareness about the effects of skincare products on the unborn foetus. For more information on this topic and Belli Skincare check out www.belliskincare.com.au.
Dental care
Dr Angelo Lazaris
Dr Lazaris studied at the University of Sydney, where he earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree with Honours in 1991. Now a member of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) and specialising in the fields of cosmetic dentistry, dental implants and complex restorative dentistry, Dr Lazaris believes that dentistry is a combination of art and science and has performed dental procedures for Channel 9's Body Work and Mornings with Kerri-Anne as well as Fox8's Australia's Next Top Model.
Visit Dr Lazaris at sydneycosmeticdentist.com
Eye care
Dr Laura Reale
Laura Reale has been an accomplished practicing optometrist in the Sydney area for more than 16 years. Laura attended the University of New South Wales, from which she graduated with Honours, and soon after established her own successful optometry practice, Lifestyle Optical. A current member of the Optometry Association Australia, Laura utilises the latest technologies and visual research to continue her ongoing education and expertise in optometry. Laura can assist professionals with clarity and visual comfort while spending long hours on computers, is a professional contact lens fitter and also practices general optometry.
Dr Reale practices at Lifestyle Optical, Shop RLG 18 at The Galeries Victoria, 500 George St, Sydney. Ph: 02 9283 0900.
Wellbeing
Susie Prichard-Casey
In 2006, UK-native Susie left celebrity haunts like London's The Life Centre for sunny Sydney. Half her baggage allowance must have been taken up by qualifications. Certified in advanced massage therapy since 1991, Susie is qualified to practice remedial and pregnancy massage as well as reflexology. Taking an integrative approach to wellbeing and health, Susie also has skills ranging from sports and spinal rehabilitation to Thai massage (she was trained in Northern Thailand), pregnancy care (she worked with a paediatric cranial osteopath for eight years) and La Stone therapy. Most recently, Susie trained in Shirodhara and Pratima Raichur techniques.
Susie operates at Stone Soul in Balmain, NSW, 02 9555 1102.
Nailcare
Douglas Schoon
One of the world's leading authorities on nail structure, health and care, Douglas Schoon, Vice President of Science & Technology at Creative Nail Design,
heads up arguably the world's most advanced research lab in the field. He's the author of many books and training programmes and, with a Masters in chemistry to his credit, is also an expert on chemical safety. But while Schoon sure knows his way around a science lab, he also knows all there is to know about common nail problems. Want to know how to stop that persistent splitting? Wondering whether that polish is safe to use while pregnant? Need to know the best technique for an indestructible mani? This is your guy.
