How did you come to launch the Irene Forte Skincare line?
In 2014, I was overseeing all the spas in Rocco Forte hotels. I worked closely with the therapists and came to understand which beauty products worked in the spas and which didn’t. I then thought about starting my own line of products with what I had learnt. I teamed up with Dr Francesca Ferri, an eminent scientist, to develop the formula and to extract from nature what we needed, using ingredients from our organic farm at our Verdura Resort in Sicily. It took us 3 years to formulate the products and we launched Irene Forte Skincare at the end of 2018.
What are your plans for the brand for this year?
Last year we did a lot of clinical trials on our products and redesigning of the packaging. As a result, the whole line will be repackaged by June this year with the liners painted by an artist and a tactile stone finish on the bottles that are refillable. Sustainability is core to IFS – we are really happy that the brand has been B-Corp certified and we have been awarded the Butterfly Trust mark by Positive Luxury for our sustainable excellence. We also trialled our new anti-oxidant products . The Hibiscus night cream preformed exceptionally well, even after 10 days. 77% of participants said they looked more youthful and it was even better after 4 weeks. In September, we launch a series of phyto-melatonin products which have extracts from 3 Italian Alpine plants. They use natural hormones and Dr Ferri got the Italian equivalent of an Italian knighthood for her work in this area. The new products include a phyto-melatonin serum oil and a pistachio face oil and body oil. We are also growing our key retail outlets. IFS launches in Bergdorf Goodman in NY and Le Bon Marche in Paris next month and we are working on many more. It’s a busy year!
Tell us about your beauty routine.
I cleanse in the morning with the Almond Cleansing milk, then splash on the Helichrysum Hyaluronic toner, gently slapping my face. I then use a prescription cream – soolantra for my rosacea on my cheeks. Then I use the Triple Level serum and the Olive eye cream. The Hibiscus night cream is my favourite product. I love the scent and I use it day and night. It is a myoxinol product which is the trademark for hibiscus. But as it becomes warmer and my skin gets less dry, I will swop it out for the Prickly Pear face cream or Lavender cream which are lighter.
In the evening, sometimes I do a pre-cleanse with an oil. I will massage it on and then cleanse with the Almond cleansing milk and maybe use a Gua Sha. I use a prescription azaleic acid with about 20%. Then the Hibiscus serum, Olive eye cream and the Hibiscus night cream. A few days a week I use a masque, particularly on Sunday if I have a bath.
Which beauty products do you use?
I love Westman Atelier and RMS, I love their concealer and the By Terry Hyaluronic powder. For mascara, I grab something from Boots. I don’t really wear a lot of makeup as I like to look as natural as possible.
What do you do for exercise?
I used to do a lot of cardio but I don’t really like doing it anymore. I prefer Barrecore and heartcore pilates, a lot of stretching and strengthening. I also play tennis once a week.
Which are your favourite 3 books that you’ve read recently?
I am reading less and less these days as I am so busy at work. I usually read a lot of non-fiction but this year I read more fiction. I really enjoyed Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, a memoir by the creator of Nike; Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker – I became a bit obsessed with this book! – and the latest Le Carre novel, Silverview.
Where do you go to eat and drink in London? Where do you shop?
My favourite restaurants include Kitty Fisher’s in Shepherd’s Market and The River Cafe, although I haven’t been there in a while. I also love Charlie’s at Browns Hotel. I really liked the private club Maison Estelle when I last went but I haven’t joined. I’m not a club member anywhere really. I shop online at places like Net a Porter and The Outnet but I also like to visit Liberty’s and see the great Jackie who manages the IFS desk there. She is really knowledgeable and I really like the way that Liberty’s is laid out like a market and you can find lots of great new things.
What’s your guilty indulgence?
I can spend the whole weekend watching football. I’m a big Chelsea fan. I love the way that a team can face adversity and come together and that when you’re watching it, you forget about everything else. I wanted to be a football manager when I was younger. I used to tell my friends that my father was going to buy me a football Club!
Did you have any beauty heroes that you looked up to when you were launching IFS?
I did a lot of research into Tata Harper. She was really the pioneer and one of the first women to launch a natural skincare brand. She has done an amazing job. She uses ingredients from her farm in Vermont and her line is sustainable. She has really achieved what she set out to do.
Other beauty heroes or beauty people that I go to are the dermatologist Dr Alexis Grante. She studied for a total of 12 years as she trained in both the US and the UK. She is extremely knowledgeable and has a very admirable aesthetic. I also love Jasmina Vico who is an amazing facialist and Michael Bolder for deep tissue facial massage.
A Little Bird Loves
