I started today with a two hour Skype video conference call with my three sisters and members of our management team and Board of Directors for Forever Laser Institut. It was noon their time in Geneva, they were eating sushi, while I was waking up and sipping coffee. It was a most fabulous way to start my day. It reminded me of the joys of family business, and of how working with my sisters enables me to know them on a different level than just the “sister level.” We are business partners, we are work colleagues, we learn from each other. As similar as we are to each other, we are also very different, as you might have gathered from the last two BeautyViews featuring Cyrille and Rachel. Today, I honor my youngest sister, Roxane. She is not only the youngest, to me she is the wisest, and the most “Americanized” (except for me of course!), having lived in DC for a couple of years. Perhaps she is also the most perfect… I sometimes think my parents made three “drafts” (Cyrille, Rachel and I) before making a masterpiece…
AP: What city were you born in? RSP: Geneva, Switzerland.
AP: What city do you live in? RSP: During the day I live in Geneva, but at night it depends: Paris, Johannesburg, Florence, New York, New Orleans, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires.
AP: What is your middle name? RSP: Selana, which means moon in ancient Greek. When I was younger I thought the moon was my cousin, sometimes I still do.
AP: What is your astrological sign? RSP: Gemini: like Marilyn Monroe or the NASA second human spaceflight program.
AP: What is something about you most people don’t know? RSP: If most people don’t know about it, there’s probably a good reason it’s a secret…
AP: What is your most prized possession? RSP: My life.
AP: If you could have dinner with the person of your choice, who would it be? RSP: Anyone I’ve never had dinner with before: everyone has a great story to share if you take the time to listen.
AP: Describe your fashion style in three words maximum. RSP: Not three words but three ideas: 1. Melting pot (why stick to one style when you can mix them all together). 2. My friends always wonder how I’m not cold (I don’t like sweaters and I love wearing dresses in winter). 3. White labcoat (I’m a medical student).
AP: Do you wear a watch? If yes, what model? RSP: No. I like to live dangerously (which for a Swiss means not knowing what time it is)!
AP: Diamonds or pearls? RSP: Neither. I like the jewelry your young fashion friends create (especially the ones you get me for Christmas). [Note from Ada: This makes me happy and I promise to get you more jewelry as gifts!]
AP: What is your #1 beauty secret? RSP: Never pop a zit. And have two make-up routines: a long and sophisticated one to use when you have the time and energy to be perfect, and a second very short one to use when you’re in a hurry so that no matter the circumstances you’ll leave the house looking gorgeous.
AP: What fragrance do you wear? RSP: Coco Chanel.
AP: Botox or not? RSP: As of today no, but I’ve started to notice frown lines on my face, so as of tomorrow, most definitely!
AP: Hair color: natural or not? RSP: Natural: I’ve been told my natural color suits me the best (great compliment to receive by the way!).
AP: What are your special diet tips, if any? RSP: Enjoy fully what you eat and only eat what you fully enjoy.
AP: What do you do for exercise? RSP: Weight-lifting with a personal trainer twice a week.
AP: What are three things that you always have in your fridge? RSP: Champagne, cheese, and tomatoes.
AP: What is your cocktail of choice? RSP: A margarita on the rocks, or a mimosa if it’s we’re talking about brunch.
AP: What is your secret to work/life balance? RSP: My boyfriend has a perfect work/life balance, so I let him figure that one out.
AP: How many miles do you fly per year on average? RSP: I travel for pleasure and don’t count the miles. These are my typical trips. 1. Switzerland – USA once a year to stock up on everything I love about the states: you, my BFF, New Orleans, American customer service, American work ethic, and the “no fuss” attitude. 2. Switzerland – new exotic country once a year to discover beautiful vacation spots with my man. 3. All around Europe all year round for little getaways.
AP: What are your three top tips for travel? RSP: 1. For my number one tip, I must agree with Mathilde Thomas, co-founder of Caudalie: never eat airport or plane food, take fruits and vegetables in your carry-on instead. 2. Always wear a beautiful outfit. 3. Have a second beautiful outfit, hair brush, make up, deodorant and perfume in your carry-on: change just before you arrive and look fresh even after a 13-hour plane trip (it also means you’ll have at least one outfit if the airline looses your luggage).
AP: 3 songs on your ipod right now. RSP: “Untouched” by The Veronicas, “Shake That” by Eminem, “Sympathy for the Devil” by The Rolling Stones.
AP: What book are you reading right now? RSP: “La vérité sur l’affaire Quebert” written by Joël Dicker, a young author from Geneva.
AP: Quote to live by. RSP: “I don’t mind living in a man’s world as long as I can be a woman in it,” Marilyn Monroe.
AP: What is your worst pet peeve? RSP: People who complain all the time.
AP: What time do you usually wake up in the morning, and how many hours of sleep do you usually get? RSP: I’m an early bird: I wake up every day at 5:30. I need 6 hours of sleep as long as I stick to a regular sleeping schedule.
AP: What is your favorite thing about the beauty industry? RSP: Beauty.
AP: Least favorite thing. RSP: Surgeons who turn beautiful people into ugly ones.
AP: Who is your mentor? RSP: No one, yet…
AP: Words of advice for young women starting their careers today. RSP: When things aren’t going as you wish, live by my two favorite sentences: 1. No worries (pas de soucis) 2. Too bad (tant pis).
