Refinery29′s powerhouse LA editor shares her beauty must-haves and secret tips to staying glam at every occasion, even with a demanding schedule
Morning routine:
Renée Rouleau Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel (I sometimes use this with the Clarisonic, sometimes without. Quite a few aestheticians I’ve met with are now surprisingly very wary of daily use [of Clarisonic]!). Twice a week I do a major exfoliation with Kaplan MD Cell Renewing Microfoliant or Arcona’s Golden Grain Gommage. If I have any blemishes, I spot treat them with Obagi’s Clenziderm M.D. Therapeutic Lotion—it instantly zaps anything!
No matter how big of a rush I’m in, I never forget my Renée Rouleau Vitamin C & E Treatment. It works miracles with every single ailment my skin faces: fine lines, clogged pores and age spots. If I know I’m not leaving the house (which is often the case with my job), I use Kate Somerville Kateceuticals Multi-Active Repair Lifting And Lineless Cream. If I’m bouncing around town and there’s the slightest chance I’ll get sun, I swap the KS for RéVive Intensité Crème Lustre SPF 30. It doubles as a powerful moisturizer and efficient sunblock.
I wash with the aforementioned products, and trade off every three nights with either Renée Rouleau’s AHA Smoothing Serum or Bio Radiance Night Serum. Then, I apply Pro+ Therapy Advanced Ultra Rich Night Repair and ORO GOLD’s 24K Anti-Aging Eye Serum.
Who cuts/colors your hair:
Jessica Frank Stokes at Neil George Salon is the blonde guru; I would never trust anyone else with my hair hue! Shin in Santa Monica always snips the most angular cuts that ensure you won’t have to see her for at least another 4 months (even though I always want to because she’s so entertaining).
Favorite eye look:
I don’t remember the last time I did anything with my eyes. I never learned those skills as a kid, and I guess just don’t have the time to now. I’d love to learn how to do a sexy, smoky serious cat eye someday, though. For now, it’s just my L’Oréal Voluminous Mascara with the curved brush (I have never and will never cheat. It’s cheaply magical and people stop me on the street to ask if I have fake lashes!).
Go-to lipstick:
I sleep in lipstick. I will go bare-faced for days, but you will seriously never catch me without lipstick on. My mom’s motto is “Have lipstick, will travel!” and I somewhere along the way adopted it as my own dogma. So, obviously this question is a toughie! I’ve been loving Radiant Cosmetics‘ range of colors these days, and I love that they give a percentage of all purchases to anti-trafficking organizations like Redeemed Ministries. Otherwise, it’s YSL all the way!
Nail color of the moment:
I used to be really adventurous with my digits, but with my constant deadlines and the insane stress of my job, I’ve become a picker (so embarrassing!). I feel like bright red is the only color that can go with short nails, so Essie’s A List or the new version, Head Mistress are the only colors I’ll wear. I do love Renée Rouleau’s No Picking Twisty Tool (meant for the face) to help with my bad habit, though.
Signature scent:
I actually have several. My mom and I have always worn Byblos, but it was discontinued years ago. We’re always on the hunt to find new bottles, but it gets harder each year. Otherwise, it’s Serge Lutens Fleurs d’Oranger for nights out, or La Chasse Aux Papillons by L’Artisan for the day.
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Tags: beauty formula
