Expert: Mishal Cazmi @mishalcazmi
Credentials: Editorial lead at Pinterest
Subject Matter: Choosing gifts people actually want
Q: What questions should you ask yourself before buying someone a gift?
MC: “It’s great to consider their hobbies, as well as their likes and dislikes. If someone is a beauty lover, consider getting them a gift set or a limited edition item from their favourite brand. Something else to consider is their current circumstances — are they celebrating a milestone or going through a tough time in their life? If your best friend has been really stressed out lately, maybe your gift brings some TLC into their life. A new pet parent? There are so many cute gift ideas for furry friends.”
Q: How can someone’s Pinterest board provide clues as to the gifts they really want to receive?
MC: “People use Pinterest boards to curate their wish lists, so peeking at what they’re pinning takes the guesswork out of gift giving. If you’re shopping for the cool young person on your list, for example, Pinterest can be the perfect pulse check on what’s trending.”
Q: What are some up-and-coming beauty-related gifts that are popular on Pinterest right now?
MC: “Pinterest’s Fall Trend Report spotlights a few big beauty themes. Grunge glam makeup (think moody palettes and edgy lipstick shades), cozy fall scents and sea-science skincare (innovative ingredients like salmon DNA) are all sure to be favourites.”
Q: How do you elevate a gift with an element of surprise when you’re giving something someone has asked for?
MC: “Personalization, like getting something monogrammed, engraved or embroidered, is such a special way to add a thoughtful touch.”
Products:
- Ruby Hammer Mascara & Brow Duo
- Discotheque Hacienda
- Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Advanced Firming Daily Treatment
- Living Beauty Gift Card
Expert: Sam McKnight @hairbysammcknight
Credentials: Hairstylist to the stars and brand founder
Subject Matter: Hair Health
Q: What are some underrated ways to boost hair health?
SM: “Being gentle. Simple, easy steps such as heat protection and treating your hair gently, especially when wet, as it’s at its most fragile, make a huge difference over time. Another often overlooked step is regular hydration — both with lightweight, leave-in conditioners and masks suited to your hair type.”
Q: What role does brushing play in hair health?
SM: “It helps distribute the natural oils from your scalp through the lengths of your hair, which can add shine and softness. Choosing the right brush will detangle without causing stress or hair breakage and can make styling easier and faster.”
Q: How important is scalp care to the overall health of hair?
SM: “I always say: beautiful hair starts at the scalp. Your scalp and its microbiome are essential — they need to be healthy to produce strong, vibrant hair. Scalp treatments can be just what you need to soothe, balance and clarify, making a huge difference.”
Q: What’s the best way to find the right styling products for a specific hair type?
SM: “Determine what your hair goals are and what your hair needs to get there. Don’t underestimate the experience and knowledge of your hairdresser and don’t be afraid to experiment a little — your perfect product combination is often found through experience.”
Q: With so many dry shampoos on the market, what makes yours different?
SM: “It refreshes the hair without leaving a powdery residue or dulling the colour, giving hair a bit of volume and texture as well. Plus, the scent — fresh, modern, not overpowering — makes it feel like a proper luxury product.”
Products:
- Hair by Sam McKnight Modern Hairspray Multi-Tasking Styling Mist
- Hair by Sam McKnight Deeper Love Intense Treatment Mask
- Manta Original Hair Brush
- Hair by Sam McKnight Pure Genius 98% Natural Scalp Restoring Oil
- Lazy Girl Dry Shampoo
Expert: Jen Novakovich @theecowell
Credentials: Cosmetic scientist, panel discussion host and founder of The Eco Well
Subject Matter: Beauty Experts
Q: How do you spot a dodgy beauty expert?
JN: “I’ll refer to an acronym that [doctor, beauty science writer] Michelle Wong and I put together called MUDCAPS. M is for misleading credentials, U is for undisclosed everything, D is for defensive, C is for credit — do they credit their sources? A is for authority, P is for peers—who do they associate with? And S is for a spotty track record.”
Q: When everyone’s an “expert,” how do you know which ones you can trust?
JN: “Be critical of every information source because, even if they’ve been credible in the past, that may change. Use the MUDCAPS framework to monitor behaviour and pay attention to what’s being said.”
Q: What’s your advice on sorting through the noise of online beauty advice?
JN: “Being aware of some of the basics can help you spot misinformation. If somebody is saying something that conflicts with these basic facts, then you can spot it and ask what else they’re saying that doesn’t make sense. Of course, to find these basic facts, you have to first find a good information source.”
Q: Is there a way to banish misinformation from our social-media feeds?
JN: “You’re training your algorithm by what you pay attention to and engage with. Try to speed past things that are questionable at first glance. And pause before you share, comment or like. The more you engage with content, the more visibility it'll have to you and to other people.”
Q: What is the most prevalent beauty-related myth that you’re currently seeing online?
JN: “I’ve been really interested in environmental-related misinformation, like the idea that plastic-free equals better or solid equals more environmentally friendly. I’m very interested in how these subtle inaccuracies — that are often spread by good intentions from the general public — lead to poor environmental outcomes.”
