5 questions with ... Nip + Fab's Maria Hatzistefanis

SINGAPORE - Greek-born Maria Hatzistefanis isn't just the founder of premium beauty label Rodial, she also started the two-year-old beauty brand, Nip + Fab. Launched to offer "some of the DNA of Rodial", vis-a-vis quick fixes for specific skin concerns, it's also targeted at a wider audience with its more affordable price points. Singapore is the first Asian country to stock the brand, and Hatzistefanis spilled the beans about her favourite products and why she likes yoghurt (and no, she doesn't eat it).

What is your favourite product from Nip + Fab?

My favourite is the No Needle Fix. I just love the fact that it fills out fine lines and wrinkles and gives you a plumping effect. It gives you great results and your face (will look) very fresh and younger. That's what we all want.

What's one beauty tip we should carry along through our lives?

Use SPF (sun protection factor). I think that we feel that we only need to use SPF when we are sunbathing but we really need to use it all year round - whether it's sunny or cloudy. (It) prevents pigmentation, wrinkles and keeps the skin young and bright.

Besides using sunscreen religiously, what else keeps our skin looking "young and bright"?

I think that the cleanser you use is really important. Sometimes, women use a very harsh cleanser for the skin that dries it, and you try to make up for it with a richer moisturiser. I think you need to go for a gentlercleanser that will not dehydrate the skin. I think the choice of the cleanser is really important.

Is there a natural recipe for healthy skin you can share with us?

Yoghurt. Yoghurt is the best mask. I used to use a Greek yoghurt - that's the thick one and that's better for the skin, because it acts as a great mask. You can apply it on its own (or) you can mix it with honey if you want something more moisturising and leave it on for 15 minutes. It plumps up the skin, it has milk proteins that help with the top layers of the skin and it's a great natural recipe.

Are there any make-up brands you fancy?

I love Nars and Bobbi Brown. (And) a bit of Chanel as well. For Nars, I like the Orgasm blush; for Bobbi Brown, I use a lot of the eye shadows. They have beautiful taupe colours and they have a nice white shimmer eye product that I'm wearing right now. For Chanel, I love the Kohl pencils.