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Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards shares her fashion and beauty secrets
We asked Kyle Richards of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills to share her stylish secrets.
STAY TRUE TO YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE
Growing up in a family of child-actress sisters, Richards has always been into fashion. She opened her store, Kyle by Alene Too, in Beverly Hills, added another in the Hamptons and has one more set to open in New York City this year. "I have always loved caftans and flowy dresses – [my castmates] tease me about it, but that's my thing. I love light fabrics and bright colourful things," she says. "I do wear other styles – I'll wear ripped jeans with a leather jacket or something classic. It's not always boho. But I always try to stay true to what looks best on me."
'BABY' YOUR HAIR
With her long, thick, glossy mane, Richards knows her hair is her crowning glory. "'I'm always tell my girls, 'you have to baby your hair.' I use a paddle brush, and not too much heat or product - that dulls the shine. I don't blow dry it every day, and I'll also leave a little bit of conditioner in it sometimes." Richards swears by sulphate-free shampoo, Macadamia hair masks, and Brazilian Blowout conditioner.
And for those who say it's time for the 47-year-old to move on from her ultra-long locks, the big news is that she has actually just cut off eight inches and lightened it slightly. "I've had no extensions ever," she says. "They are bad for your hair and fortunately I've never needed any."
GO LIGHT ON THE LASHES
False eyelashes are a staple on any Real Housewives franchise, but lately Richards finds them losing their appeal. "Big heavy false lashes can close your eyes a bit. I'm very good at applying them now, but have been wearing less lashes lately, because it really is younger looking not to have those heavy lashes."
Instead, she favours L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara - and often does her own makeup. "I only use a makeup artist for sit-down interviews," she says "I have always wanted to be a makeup artist – I do makeup on my friends. I am old school; I don't look at makeup tutorials on You Tube. I prefer to look at books by Kevyn Aucoin."
While she's not into that overly contoured You Tube look either, she does like to do a little sculpting with her MAC Powder in Taupe.
DON'T GO OVERBOARD ON COSMETIC MEDICINE
"I get things done," Richards admits. "but just minimally. In Beverly Hills a lot of people go overboard. I get Botox, I get laser on my face and I have these electric facials."
What she's definitely not keen on is the plumped-up look. "I am not a fan of filler. It does not look good on my type of face."
MAKE FRIENDS WITH FITNESS
Richards has a full-on fitness schedule with only one day off a week - Soul Cycle twice a week, hiking twice a week and a new rowing class twice a week. "It's the new spinning," she says. "I just discovered it. They dim the lights and you really get into it." She stays motivated thanks to her mates. "I have a girlfriends fitness group," she says.
SNOBBERY IS GOOD - WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD
"I love pasta, but I only eat it if I'm in Italy," says the well-travelled, luxury-loving star. She still keeps it real, though. "Unlike many people in this town I do eat carbs," says Richards. "But I eat really clean. So I'll have the healthiest type of bread or do an open-face sandwich. I love pizza but mainly I'll eat salads and sushi."
When it comes to body image the petite (she's five foot two) star says she actually feels less pressure now she's on reality TV. "There was more pressure when playing a role of the sexy, skinny girl. Now, I'm not 25; I'm playing me. I have a normal body. I want to look my best for my husband, and be a role model for kids but I'm not as pressured as I was as an actress."
NATURAL BEAUTY ALWAYS APPEALS
If she has her wish, the next Beverly Hills cast trip could be heading Down Under. Richards has never been to New Zealand, but she met some Kiwis who worked on a superyacht she was holidaying on in Italy. "One of the girls showed me some amazing photos of New Zealand. It looked so beautful. I sent them to the producers as a hint about our next overseas trip!" she says.
In fact, forget the holiday - a permanent move could be on the cards. "With everything going on in the world today, Lisa Vanderpump and I have both said, 'Let's all move to New Zealand.'"