Barbara Stanwyck’s Witch Hazel Skincare Secret

Barbara Stanwyck understood the power of restraint. While many Golden Age actresses layered creams, powders and perfumes, Stanwyck kept her routine almost simple — and at the centre of it was witch hazel. She used it daily as a toner to maintain the matte, taut complexion that became her trademark.

Witch hazel tightened the skin, reduced shine and kept her face camera‑ready under the intense heat of studio lights. Stanwyck disliked anything that felt heavy or greasy. Witch hazel gave her the opposite: a clean, refined surface that held makeup beautifully without slipping.

This minimalist approach made her stand out. Her skin didn’t glow in the traditional Hollywood sense — it looked structured, almost architectural. Witch hazel preserved that structure, keeping her jawline sharp and her cheekbones defined. It also helped her maintain the famously controlled expression that made her performances so compelling.

Stanwyck’s witch‑hazel discipline wasn’t glamorous, but it was effective. It reflected her personality: practical, efficient, and focused. She didn’t chase trends or elaborate rituals. She used what worked, and she used it consistently.

Barbara Stanwyck’s witch‑hazel routine wasn’t just skincare. It was a statement: beauty built from precision, not excess.

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?

What’s New: Dermalogica Smart Eye Density Serum

Dermalogica’s Smart Eye Density Serum is a biointelligent undereye treatment formulated to rebuild density in thinning, hollow areas and restore a smoother, more supported contour. Powered by a growth‑factor complex delivered through Oleosomal technology, it helps plump and redensify the delicate orbital skin, while Dehydrated Hyaluronic Acid microspheres dive deep to rehydrate and soften fine lines. Rye Seed Extract improves tone and revitalizes tired eyes, Fermented Polyglutamic Acid boosts hydration and strengthens the barrier for a fuller appearance, and Sweet Potato Root Extract with CoQ10 helps reduce dark circles and firm fragile skin. The result is a lightweight, fast‑absorbing serum that visibly brightens, smooths and restores youthful density around the eyes.

Dermalogica Smart Eye Density Serum/photo is from dermalogica.dr

Recommended for:

  • visible signs of aging around the eyes
  • hollow or sunken-looking undereyes
  • fine lines + wrinkles
  • thinning skin
  • dark circles

Stacey Says: I often had Dermalogica products in my professional kit, including the client fave Dermalogica’s Lip Primer that also hydrated the lips, making it a perfect formula for matte lipsticks, to wear as is. I personally love it, as well. Dermalogica is a professional skincare company and a pro line for pro makeup artists too. I should mention that Dermalogica products works well (it is designed for this reason, as it is with Dermalogica Lip Primer, it is not makeup technically, it is a skincare product) under makeup, as well as for mediums whether it is television, film, fashion, editorial or everyday wear. All of their formulas deliver efficient results. This is a dermatologist line, so it is a derm line.

Price: 150mL $192

For more information, please visit: dermalogica.ca

De‑Puff Under‑Eye Bags with Items from Your Home

A refreshed Face by Stace classic from the original Face by Stace editorial, business-oriented, beauty blog. Enjoy!

Under‑eye puffiness happens to everyone — late nights, salty dinners, allergies, crying sessions (oh, man, am I right? LOL!) or simply waking up on the wrong side of the bed. The good news is to look instantly refreshed with items you can find in your very own home, which becomes one of the most effective de‑puffing tools found in your kitchen. (Where are those chilled spoons or green tea bags? I need to have a spa day lol! This is serious stuff. LOL!)

Do you want to say good-bye to tired, puffy eyes? Of course, you do. Read up on my tips below!

Below are simple, science‑backed techniques using everyday household items. They work by vasoconstriction, gentle compression and hydration support — the same principles behind modern cryo sticks and cooling eye globes.

1. The Chilled Spoon Technique (A Face by Stace original favourite)

Cold metal is one of the fastest ways to reduce visible puffiness.

  • Place two stainless‑steel teaspoons in the fridge for 10–20 minutes.
  • Clean and dry them.
  • With eyes closed, rest the curved side of the spoon against the inner corner of the under‑eye.
  • Hold for 10–20 seconds, then sweep outward toward the temple.
  • Repeat 2–3 times.

Why it works: Cold constricts superficial blood vessels, reducing swelling. The outward motion offers light lymphatic stimulation.

2. Cold Milk Compress

A vintage beauty trick with modern relevance.

  • Soak cotton pads in cold whole milk.
  • Apply under the eyes for 5–7 minutes.

Why it works: The combination of cool temperature + milk’s natural fats provides soothing hydration and reduces inflammation.

3. Green Tea Bag Treatment (A Face by Stace original favourite)

A classic that still earns its place.

  • Steep two green tea bags, then chill them in the fridge.
  • Place over closed eyes for 10 minutes.

Why it works: Caffeine tightens blood vessels, while antioxidants calm irritation.

4. Ice‑Water Facial Dip (for fast results)

If puffiness is severe, this is the quickest reset.

  • Fill a bowl with cold water and a handful of ice cubes.
  • Submerge your face for 5–10 seconds at a time.
  • Repeat 3–5 cycles.

Why it works: Rapid cooling reduces swelling across the entire face, including the under‑eye area.

5. Potato or Cucumber Slices

Simple, soothing, and effective.

  • Chill slices in the fridge.
  • Apply under the eyes for 10 minutes.

Why it works: High water content + cool temperature = instant depuffing and hydration.

When Home Remedies Aren’t Enough

If puffiness is chronic, it may be linked to allergies, genetics, fluid retention or sleep patterns. Home remedies help with temporary swelling, but they won’t change structural under‑eye volume or fat pads.

For long‑term support, pair these tricks with:

  • a gentle caffeine eye serum
  • consistent sleep
  • reduced sodium intake
  • allergy management
  • cold tools like stainless‑steel rollers or cryo globes

Hope you have enjoyed these revised, refreshed tips to De‑Puff Under‑Eye Bags with Items from Your Home! Have you tried any of these tips? Let me know, I’d love to hear from you!

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?

Myrna Loy’s Almond‑Oil Massages

Myrna Loy understood that beauty wasn’t created in the makeup chair — it was maintained in the quiet hours no one saw. Her nightly almond‑oil massages were the heart of her routine, a regime that kept her skin supple, lifted and camera‑ready through the relentless pace of studio life.

Almond oil was her preferred choice because of its lightweight texture and natural elasticity‑boosting properties. Loy warmed a small amount between her hands and worked it along her jawline, temples, and cheekbones in slow, deliberate motions. This wasn’t vanity; it was technique. The massage stimulated circulation, giving her skin that subtle, intelligent radiance that became her trademark.

Under harsh studio lights, many actresses battled tightness, dryness and fine lines. Loy didn’t. Her almond‑oil ritual kept her complexion resilient — soft yet structured, luminous without shine. It preserved the smoothness created by her milk masks and ensured her face maintained its serene architecture on screen.

The practice also complemented her minimalist makeup philosophy. With skin this well‑conditioned, she didn’t need heavy creams or thick foundations. Her glow came from beneath, from discipline rather than product.

Myrna Loy’s almond‑oil massages were more than skincare. They were a nightly act of preservation — of her beauty, her poise, and the refined elegance that made her one of Hollywood’s most modern faces.

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?

Myrna Loy’s Signature Taupe Contouring: The Sculptural Softness Ahead of Its Time

Decades before contouring became a beauty staple, Myrna Loy was perfecting her own version — a technique built not on drama, but on taupe shadow, subtle placement and architectural precision.

While her contemporaries relied on rouge to carve out cheekbones, Loy rejected anything that looked heavy or artificial. She preferred a soft taupe powder, applied just beneath the cheekbone and blended toward the ear. The result was a light definition, the beginning of contouring to what contouring would become in decades to come — sculptural, elegant and almost imperceptible. It refined her face the way good lighting does.

This technique became essential to her screen identity. Loy’s roles demanded intelligence, wit and modernity, and her contouring reflected that. Her face appeared calm, structured and commanding — a look that felt startlingly contemporary.

Taupe contouring also complemented her skincare rituals. With milk‑mask clarity and almond‑oil elasticity, her skin provided the perfect canvas for subtle sculpting. The contour enhanced her natural bone structure rather than masking it, creating the refined silhouette that defined her performances in The Thin Man era.

In a decade known for theatrical beauty, Myrna Loy’s taupe contouring was revolutionary. It was contouring for women who valued restraint and elegance.

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?

Sweet Potato Scalp‑Moisturizing Mask (Homemade Beauty Recipe)

A soothing, moisture‑rich treatment for dry, itchy or flaky scalps.

This mask is creamy and calming. Sweet potato moisturizes, while aloe and oils soothe irritation and reduce flaking.

Beauty Benefits

  • Beta‑carotene — supports scalp health.
  • Aloe — calms irritation.
  • Coconut oil — reduces dryness.
  • Natural sugars — gently exfoliate buildup.
  • Warm application — boosts circulation.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp mashed sweet potato
  • 1 tbsp aloe vera gel
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • Optional: 1 drop tea tree oil

Instructions

Apply the mixture to the scalp for 15 minutes. Rinse and shampoo lightly.

Storage

Keeps 2 days refrigerated.

Substitutions

  • Replace coconut oil with argan oil for fine hair.
  • Replace aloe with glycerin for extra moisture.

I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?