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Quinta Brunson: What It Costs to Be Me


These days it’s nearly impossible to know what women are spending on the way they look. Someone with Instagram-flawless contouring might have honed her craft using the finest from the drugstore aisles, and the utterly makeup-free type might be spending thousands on laser treatments and serums. Enter our series “What It Costs to Be Me,” in which we’re asking interesting women for radical transparency.

Next up? Quinta Brunson, 29, writer, producer, actress, and comedian in Los Angeles. Her annual total? $2,116

Is there anybody on the Internet more likable than Quinta Brunson? From her breakout viral hit “The Girl Who’s Never Been On A Nice Date” to her series “Quinta vs. Everything,”, it’s safe to say the world doesn’t just like her—we f*cking love her. Luckily for everyone, she’s also currently working on a hotly anticipated pilot for a CBS show, “Quinta & Jermaine,” with Jermaine Fowler. As for beauty: If you haven’t seen Quinta vs. Everything: Beauty Routine Struggles already, stop whatever you’re doing, watch it, and have the best six minutes of your week. Whether she’s trying (and failing) to recreate a YouTube influencer’s natural hair look or navigating the rapids of party makeup, Quinta’s particular brand of low-key beauty commentary is refreshingly relatable. In actual real life, her beauty regimen is—no surprise—pretty uncomplicated. “I try not to focus on much other than being healthy and happy,” she says. “That tends to make my skin clear, and my worries minimal.”

The only things I need for my skin: $12
My skin care is a clean wash cloth ($3), preferably white, a simple face cream, and minding my business. I love Pond’s Unscented Dry Skin Cream ($5). I use it on my face every day. It’s old-school, but it keeps my skin smooth and moist, and I’ve been using it for years. My mom passed it down to me. I’m not sure I’ve ever even had a conversation with her about it, it’s just what we always used and I never even questioned it. It wasn’t until I became a full-grown adult woman that I started noticing other women talking about moisturizer this, moisturizer that. So I ventured out once or twice to try a different face cream before deciding: absolutely not. Not only were other creams more expensive, my skin looked worse. I remember I bought one once that was maybe $50, and I kid you not, in an hour my skin was dry. I couldn’t believe it. $50 for what? What are we paying for? The name? Because we’re certainly not paying for the way it works.

Every once in a while I’ll do a Garnier Super-Purifying Charcoal Sheet Mask ($4) that I get for cheap at a local drugstore. It’s really, really good: quick, not messy. I usually do it after having to wear heavy makeup on set for days in a row. Charcoal just resets my skin.

My shower essentials: $28
For the shower, I love St. Ives body wash ($5) or Dove ($6). Both leave me feeling clean and soft. When I’m out of the shower, I usually use grapeseed oil ($8) or shea butter ($9) to keep my entire body smooth. I buy a lot of my products off of Amazon—I try to get 100 percent African shea butter, but it’s one of those things where the exact brand doesn’t really make a difference.

My hair routine: $151
Hair care is different beast, but I’ve finally narrowed it down to five basic products: Shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, curl cream, and Jamaican castor oil. I don’t care about spending money on products that claim to do anything. I like facts. Either the product works or it doesn’t. On days where I need to wash my hair, which can vary from once a week to three times a week, I use Cantu Sulfate-Free Cream Shampoo ($5) and follow it up with Cantu conditioner ($5). I’m mostly into three hairstyles: a wash-and-go, slicking my hair back into a bun, or throwing on a nice head wrap. Since I’m always on the go, those styles have become the easiest because I can do them at home and I don’t have to stop at a hairstylist or maintain anything too difficult. For awhile braids were my go-to, but I had to give it a rest after suffering from a bit of traction alopecia around my edges. Such is life. In the meantime, these styles have been keeping me cute and ready for action.

Every morning is different, but this morning before leaving for the airport I washed my hair and went with a wash-and-go. I start with Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-in Conditioner ($12), then work a Denman brush ($17) through my curls to detangle them. After that, I put my hair in about six sections and use a four-finger scoop of Eden BodyWorks Curl Defining Cream ($8) for each section. Right after the curl cream, I use a little Jamaican Castor oil ($12) to moisturize and seal everything in.

If I’m doing a slicked-back bun, I wash my hair, then apply leave-in conditioner and comb it through. Then I use my grapeseed oil to seal that conditioner in, then work in Xtreme Wet-Line Styling Gel ($18), again going section by section—and finally, I brush my hair back into a bun.

If I’m not doing a bun or a wash-and-go, I do a headwrap. I found a great bundle of Rayna Josephine hairwraps on Amazon ($20 each). And if you’re into headwraps, I’m going to need to put out a shameless plug for my girl Freddie’s new line at Fringe and Company (approx. $55 each). She has amazing wraps!

My everyday makeup: $112
I’m still a bit of a newbie in the everyday makeup department, but I think I’ve landed on what I like. I’ve been enjoying Glossier products, because they’re simple, light, and easy to apply. So far I love the Perfecting Skin Tint in Deep ($26), the Cloud Paint Blush in Haze ($18), the crystal clear lip gloss ($14), and the Generation G lipsticks ($18 each) in Cake, Zip, and Crush. I found out about Glossier because a girlfriend who’s known me a long time went to their flagship store in New York. Ironically, my friend didn’t like it (she wanted more coverage), but she thought I should check it out. I went online and I loved their videos—it looked like the girls weren’t wearing everything. I can’t believe it’s taken this long to get companies to understand that not everybody needs to be at the extreme end of the makeup spectrum. I very much need to exist somewhere in the middle, and it’s hard to find the middle ground.

My two big-occasion makeup items: $58
I prioritize having only the things that I need. For a while, I didn’t even have a foundation, because I didn’t have to wear any to work or events. When it came time for pictures and interviews, I finally invested in the Fenty foundation in 420 ($34), because it was an easy buy and matched my skin tone really well. Nighttime is when I bust out the bold stuff like that and Fenty’s Stunna Lip Paint ($24). I love the bright red. I don’t really use eye makeup, but if I am wearing mascara, I pick up whatever I see first at the drugstore.

My two perfumes—one secret, one not: Roughly $150
I have two favorite perfumes. One is Modern Muse by Estee Lauder ($125). I’ve only been wearing it for maybe six months. I was in an airport at the duty-free, and was basically like, “You can’t keep wearing only Urban Outfitters perfume, you’re a grown woman. Time to wear a grown-up perfume.” I went through scents and landed on this one, and I really like it—it’s bold and feminine—but to me, it’s still a lot for everyday wear. I kind of look at it the way I look at night makeup versus day makeup. It’s kind of a night perfume, so I only really wear it for special occasions.

And then, like I mentioned, my day-to-day perfume is from Urban Outfitters, but I don’t want to share what it is because you guys are going to go buy it. Then they’ll sell out and discontinue the line and I will never get that scent again. I can tell you that it’s very light and floral, but also somehow traditionally masculine too. But because it’s floral, it also reads as feminine, if that makes sense? I like my perfumes to smell the way I’d like to think I come off—strong, but not in a corny “strong woman” way. Just like: People don’t know who’s coming through the door, but she smells great.

My favorite brow and nail spot: Approx. $1,245
I get my eyebrows waxed every two or three weeks. It’s usually about $25. I’ve been going to Wynn Nail Spa in Hollywood, and I just love it there. The woman who does my eyebrows knows what my brows need. My brows are nuts. They need to be put in their place. Brows are one luxury I feel fortunate to have, and I’d be afraid to give it up if I ever couldn’t afford it anymore. Every now and then, I dabble in getting my nails done, but I don’t really enjoy it. It costs too much and they’re growing or chipped the very next day. I do keep my toes painted, though, usually with a gel. That’s $60 an appointment about once a month—also at Wynn.

My self-care habits: Approx. $360
I don’t have a gym membership. I strongly dislike the gym. I hike and play tennis instead. Whenever I go to a different city for work or relaxation, I make sure I take nice long walks. And I try to get a massage every other month, just because it feels good. I don’t really have a particular place I go—I’ll go wherever is nearby, and it’s usually about $60 for an hour. I typically get a Thai massage, because there are a lot of options here in LA. I consider that to be a big self-care thing, because I think we hold a lot of tension in our bodies. Massage is an important part of releasing it.





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What It Costs to Be Me: Bri Luna, The Hood Witch


These days it’s nearly impossible to know what women are spending on the way they look. Someone with Instagram-flawless contouring might have honed her craft using the finest from the drugstore aisles, and the utterly makeup-free type might be spending thousands on laser treatments and serums. Enter our series “What It Costs to Be Me,” in which we’re asking interesting women for radical transparency.

Next up? Bri Luna, founder and creator of The Hoodwitch, from Seattle, WA. Her annual total: $7,855.

The social media ascendance of mystics, brujas, and the #WitchesofInstagram is one of the greatest uses of the Internet of our time, and not just on Halloween. One of the most enchanting of them all is Bri Luna—also known as @thehoodwitch—who delivers a heady mix of tarot card knowledge, mystical visuals, self-care wisdom, and some serious #bigwitchenergy. Not to mention extraordinary nail art. There’s no contradiction between practicing magic and being fiercely passionate about beauty, says Luna—the two are intertwined. “Witches historically been painted to look like ugly hags and creatures. But that’s not true,” she says. “Most witches, self-identified or not, have been very beautiful. I identify mostly with the word ‘enchantress.’ It’s like: I am going to put a spell on you when I walk into the room and you smell my rose oil. I work my magic with my products.” Here, she shares her dizzying array of beauty rituals, served up with a dose of witch humor. (Her parting words to us: “I also forgot to tell you, I bathe in virgin’s blood.”)

My energy cleansing rituals: $66

I’m an early riser and wake up every day before 6:30 A.M. I usually start my day with one of my own tea blends, which I’ll drink while I light some herbs. What I use depends on the energy of my house. If it’s negative, I’ll light some sage ($6), but I won’t set the whole bundle on fire. Most people don’t know that you don’t need to ignite the whole thing for a daily practice of cleansing, you can just take a few leaves off and that’s more than enough. I set an intention of working with the plant and honor its spirit: “Thank you for allowing me to use you to cleanse the space.” I don’t burn sage every day because it’s so sacred; I’ll often do lavender ($9) to make my house feel peaceful.

I love burning resins, too—like copal, which is a South American resin that’s very purifying and honors your ancestors. I get it from my friend who lives in Peru and sends it to me. I also like frankincense ($5) and myrrh ($5). My friends are always like, “It smells like a Catholic Church in here!” But I love it. It’s very protective—these are all very magical resins and incenses, and they all have an intention behind them.

I also love taking milk baths. That’s a very real thing I do. I take one every week or two as a cleansing treatment: In the winter, I fill the tub about halfway with hot water, then pour organic cow’s milk, goat’s milk, and coconut milk all into the tub in equal amounts—so about half of the containers of each. In certain spiritual practices, you’re asked to wash your head in a mixture of organic goat’s milk and coconut milk beforehand. When it comes to magic, mysticism, and beauty rituals, I think you can take your spiritual practices, whatever they are, and incorporate them into something like a bath, adding rose petals or rose quartz or scented oils to your bath water. These are all elements from the natural world that are going to vibrationally enhance your experience. And, you know, they look beautiful.

I’m big on aura-cleansing baths, too. I have one that I do that’s one cup of white vinegar ($9), plus some bay leaves or cascarilla ($1), which are powdered egg shells. They’re very cleansing of all negative energy. Adding sea salt ($5) to the bath is also very purifying, so I’ll put that in sometimes, along with a little Florida water, which is used for ceremonially cleansing people. I use one called Olde Ways ($18) that’s made by my friend. But I also order the old-school Florida Water ($8) straight from Peru. It’s got all the real essential oils from lemon, citrus, and clove, and that’s important for magical work. I also like to keep a little miniature bottle of Florida Water in my bag, because if someone’s energy rubs me the wrong way and I have to talk to them, I will spray the shit out of whatever space I’m in.

My morning skin routine: $405

My skin care changes depending on where I am. If I’ve been traveling a lot, it dries my skin out. My skin loves humidity, so I’ll keep a humidifier ($30) in the bedroom. I seriously use so many products, from high-end to very organic and handmade. And I try to go for products that are cruelty-free—even if that means spending more money. Skin care and fragrance are the two things I’m willing to splurge on.

I always try to use natural cleansers on my face, because I don’t want to strip the natural oils from my skin. One of my favorites is a small organic brand called Brujita Skincare—the creator of the line is a young Latina business owner. I love this natural cleanser she just made called Santa Limpia Facial Scrub ($30). It’s this creamy whipped scrub that’s more of a gentle daily cleanser and is made with palo santo and maca root. The ingredients help to cleanse all the negativity from the day, but it’s also antibacterial and has vitamin C in it.

After pregnancy I started getting hormonal breakouts, so I’m really picky about what goes on my face. I don’t like wearing thick creams; I prefer oils or serums. Brujita has a great face serum ($25) made with superfruit oils. I also like to mist my face with rosewater spray by Heritage Store ($9), which I keep in the fridge. (Heritage also makes a body oil called Aura Glow, $11, that I love too.) Another favorite is Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile, and Lavender ($7). I carry a little bottle of it with me when I’m on a plane.

I have to shout out this local Seattle line too: Herbivore Botanicals. I’m obsessed with their Orchid Oil ($64) and Pink Clay Cleansing Bar Soap ($12). But its Brighten Pineapple + Gemstone Mask ($48) is the best thing ever. No matter how much you travel, this stuff will make your skin look like magic.

When I’m in L.A. or somewhere humid, I use Sunday Riley Good Genes ($105). The lactic acid is too rough in Seattle but gives me the extra exfoliation I need in warmer weather. I also have a loose powder sunscreen ($64) my dermatologist gave me to use in the mornings. It’s a very sheer tinted powder in a cool tube with a built-in brush.

My non-negotiable evening skin routine: $78

I don’t care how sleepy, drunk, or tired I am, I have to wash my face at night. I’m very picky about my makeup remover. I rotate between using organic grapeseed oil ($10)—my grandmother swore by it for her face—and Almay ($5). No coconut oil on my face ever—if I use it, I get such bad acne, it’s not even funny. After I take my makeup off, I use the Brujita cleanser again, then layer on one of my oils or serums. I more or less use the same stuff at night that I do in the morning.

If my skin is problematic, I’ll use the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17) as a spot treatment or I’ll make a mask for myself out of organic manuka honey ($32). I also have to say I love using the Aztec Secret Healing clay mask ($8) with apple cider vinegar ($6). I think I partly love it because of the packaging. I feel like I’m doing something ancient.

My stable of fragrances: roughly $1,041

I have five million lotions, potions, oils, and perfumes. People tell me all the time, “You smell so good, what is that?” I don’t like telling people the exact oil or perfume I’m wearing. I like to keep some things secret, but I can tell you that I love Le Labo ($184), Byredo ($165), Creed ($295), Diptyque candles ($65) and their perfume ($95). People also think I’m such a granny because I carry Frederic Malle hand cream ($75) in my bag. I love their travel-sized perfumes ($52 each) too. They have a little travel perfume carrying case called Superstitious that’s black with a golden eyeball on it, and it’s so beautiful ($45).

I love wearing a little patchouli oil in my armpits along with Tom’s natural deodorant ($5). I know how granola that sounds, believe me! My patchouli has to be one particular blend that I get from The Vajra in Seattle. They have a woman there, Sarah, who I swear is like a fairy. She’ll mix things like rose with patchouli for me. You can literally pop in and tell her, “I’m feeling down,” and she’ll say, “Okay, well, you need something citrusy, and something to ground you.” And then she makes something incredible. The price can range, depending on the size of the bottle and the blend—some of their essential oils are really rare, and they’ve got a Moroccan rose oil that’s almost $70. I usually spend anywhere from about $9 to $60.

My shower, hair, and body routine: $519

I mix up my hair-wash routine based on my needs. When I’ve been heat styling a lot, I use Kérastase Nutritive Shampoo and Conditioner for dry hair ($30 and $34)—and when I really need extra hydration, I love their deep conditioning mask ($53). I need something lighter, I like OGX Weightless Hydration Coconut Water Shampoo ($8). And I love Mixed Chicks Conditioning Cleansing Co-Wash ($10). When I’m wearing my hair curly, I don’t usually shampoo it at all. I just co-wash with that.

For body wash I’m obsessed with Le Labo Rose 31 shower gel ($53) and L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil ($25). After my shower, I smooth on L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Body Oil ($50)—it’s this skin-firming oil that smells like heaven and is amazing to use right when you get out of a warm shower.

If I’m wearing my hair naturally curly, I’ll twist my wet hair up with organic coconut oil ($12), and just keep it really simple. Sometimes I’ll use a little Kérastase Sérum Oléo Relax Hair Oil ($40) or Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil ($17). I’m always switching it up between high-end and stuff you can pick up at Target.

When my hair is blown out and straightened, I love adding in my own beach waves. I use a clipless curling wand ($79) and finish with Kerastase shine spray ($37)—or when I’m somewhere tropical, I absolutely have to have John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hairspray ($9). I also love L’Oréal Elnett ($15) and Moroccan Oil Hairspray ($24). I know I’m such a freak to have so many different hairsprays, but they all do different things. Lastly, DryBar makes a fantastic dry shampoo ($23).

My hair styling and color regimen: Roughly $1,740 a year

I usually get my hair styled once every two weeks. I’m always changing my hair, and the price changes according to what I want and where I am in the country ($60 to $120). In New York it was $145 for a blowout one time, which was kind of outrageous, and once someone in L.A. charged me almost $500. But that was also for extensions. I cried afterwards. I typically depend on DryBar ($40) if there’s one around. They’ve never let me down. I think a lot of girls who are mixed and have curly hair are apprehensive of blow-dry bars. But I’ve learned that if you call in advance and ask for a stylist who knows how to handle your hair, they’ll make sure it’s taken care of.

Color-wise, I dye my own hair about once a month. My hair is naturally black, but I like to give it a blue tint on top, so it’s blue-black in the sun. I use professional hair dye that I can get at salon supply stores, because I’m a licensed aesthetician—they’re never more than $15, and I have all the bowls for it at home.

My makeup routine: $216

Beauty can be really connected to your spiritual and your emotional state. It’s about intention: If I’m going to a party or if I’m doing public speaking, and I don’t really feel that confident, I’ll do something bold. I want to feel that power, and I want people to pay attention to what I’m saying. It’s an accessory—just like a pair of boots.

In my everyday life, though, I usually keep it pretty natural. I never leave the house without eyebrows. I use MAC Brow Styler Pencil ($19) and MAC Brow Powder ($30) most of the time, but sometimes I’ll do Glossier Boy Brow ($16). I don’t really wear eyeshadow at all. But I love a cat-eye, and never leave the house without black eyeliner. I’ve purchased nearly every black eyeliner ever made—waterproof, smudgeproof, everything—and, I kid you not, the best is Wet n Wild H20 Proof Liquid Eyeliner ($4). The wand is perfect, and the formula has this really pretty matte finish. It dries beautifully, and then you could literally go swimming and nothing would move. For mascara, I use L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise ($9). I used to wear a way more expensive one, but it was flaky and crappy.

If I’m running errands, I’ll just wear Glossier’s Stretch Concealer ($18) under my eyes, because nobody wants to look tired. I also like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer—I use their Tan shade when I’m in L.A. or Almond when I’m paler and in Seattle ($45 each). Then I dust on a little Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder ($30) after. But I also don’t like to look too powdery, so I spray on rosewater at the end.

My big event splurge: roughly $565 a year

My eyes are my favorite feature, so I’ll do a lot of lashes to bring them out. I’m obsessed with Ardell strip lashes ($5)—they’re the best. I’ve bought all the other pricey ones from Sephora, but at the end of the day Ardell photographs so beautifully. For big events or long trips, though, I’ll get lash extensions. Which means I’ll have them for a couple months at a time a few times a year. A full set is usually around $170, and you have to go every three weeks to get a fill, and that’s $60. I get really obsessive about getting them filled, because I really don’t like the look of them falling out.

My signature nails: Roughly $2,700 a year

My nails feel like a true extension of myself. They’re stilettos—like Dracula nails. Having long nails is something that’s always been associated with vampires, witches, even aristocrats—nails were historically used for power. Goddesses adorning their fingers and hands, that’s what I tap into. Which is why my nail designs are always very well-thought out, and I’ll always ask myself beforehand, “How am I feeling?” It’s a fun way to creatively express myself and my moods.

I’ve worked with the same nail artist, Peka Grayson of Impekable Nails, for almost four and a half years now, and I see her every three weeks. We really vibe and connect with each other. She’s also a black woman and a business owner, and she’s one of the best in the game right now. Her designs are so intricate, sometimes they can take up to eight hours. We hang out, order in Uber Eats, it’s a thing. It’s about $150 to $250 each time, but it really varies depending on the design.

My occasional skin treatments: $525 a year

My dermatologist Dr. Jodie at Seattle Cosmetic Skincare is great; I get a MicroPeel facial ($175) from her once every four months or so. It’s a version of microdermabrasion that also includes acid peels, and it makes my skin look amazing. But that shit is kind of expensive. I also really want to get a vampire facial from somewhere! That is my dream. I haven’t had one yet, but I would love to try it.

My exercise routine: $0

I hate the gym, but I like running. I don’t like running on the treadmill, and I don’t like people watching me on the street, so instead I go for runs in the morning at the cemetery. I love historic cemeteries. So that’s my gym—some people go for long runs on the beach; I go for long runs in the cemetery. The ghosts can watch me.





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Elizabeth De La Piedra: What It Costs to Be Me


These days it’s nearly impossible to know what women are spending on the way they look. Someone with Instagram-flawless contouring might have honed her craft using the finest from the drugstore aisles, and the utterly makeup-free type might be spending thousands on laser treatments and serums. Enter our series “What It Costs to Be Me,” in which we’re asking interesting women for radical transparency.

Up this week: Elizabeth De La Piedra, 32, photographer and mother of two from Chicago. Her annual total? $4,454.50

Elizabeth De La Piedra is a beauty omnivore: She’s as enthusiastic detailing the many merits of a $5 brown eyeliner as she is describing the skin-transforming power of a $500 laser treatment. Her bottom line? It’s got to work, and she knows exactly how it all fits into her budget. Her top priorities are skin care (“a good cleanser, exfoliating system, serum or oil, and a moisturizer”) and nails. “I’d truly cut back on everything else before I’d give up the joy it gives me to look down and see the color and symmetry of having my nails done,” she says.

My shower and hair regimen: $189:

My skin and my hair are both kind of the same. It’s all very dry and very coarse. So I always need to exfoliate and moisturize my skin, and I constantly need to add moisture to my hair and not wash it too often—once or twice a week max. I use Aveda Be Curly shampoo and conditioner ($25 each), and brush my hair in the shower with a wide-tooth comb ($3). For my body, I use Glossier Body Hero Oil Wash ($18) with exfoliating gloves ($7). I love the way that body wash smells—it’s kind of floral but also woody, so it’s a sexy-fresh smell, if that makes sense. And because it’s an oil wash, it’s not too bubbly; anything too bubbly will dry my skin out.

Once I’m out of the shower, I always put in Aveda Damage Remedy ($30) leave-in conditioner. Then I spray Aveda Texture Tonic ($25) onto my wet hair—it activates my curls and helps to separate and define them. Once that dries a bit, my hair starts to get kind of fluffy, and I work in some Aveda Light Element Texturizing Creme ($25) to control the fluff and add a little moisture and hold. And then if I need to, I use Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hairspray ($31) for any flyaways.

My curl pattern is actually kind of tight, but because of the length right now, it makes everything a bit heavier and elongates the curls. I still struggle getting my hair just right, even at 32. It doesn’t help that our hair changes with time too. Six years ago my hair needed heavier products, but after I had my babies I needed something a little lighter.

My morning skin care routine: $200

I wash my face with Tula Purifying Cleanser ($28), then layer on Glossier Super Bounce Serum ($28), which has lots of hyaluronic acid for moisturizing. After my serum I use Tula Hydrating Day and Night Cream ($52). I like Tula a lot—I’ve found that its products are really good for balancing my skin. This cream has given me good, consistently clear skin, and it’s very hydrating, which I also need. I’ve always struggled with being somehow both too dry and also a little oily. I tend to break out because when I fidget or get nervous, I touch my face. I’m a big fidgeter. I try to be good, though, and if I ever do break out, I clean it up with a little Clearasil spot treatment ($7).

After my moisturizer comes Supergoop 50+ Super Power Sunscreen Mousse ($34). I love the light mousse texture, and it absorbs so nicely. There’s something about the formula that kind of makes you a little glowy underneath everything. For my body I use my Go-To Body Oil ($51). The line is from Australia, where I grew up. When I tried it the first time, I became obsessed—the floral scent smells like heaven. I’m into a good scent. I like being swept up in that.

My daytime makeup: $244.50

I go for a natural look, but kind of a turned-up natural. I use Glossier Stretch Concealer in dark ($18), then rub Glossier’s Cloud Paint gel-cream blush in the new bright orange, Dawn ($18), at the base of my cheeks. And then on the apples of my cheeks, I use just a little Storm or Haze ($18 each), which are both pink. Then I use my Nyx brown eye pencil ($5) for both eyes and lips. It’s this dark brown with a warm base to it. It helps open my eyes because black liner during the day is too heavy for me, and on my lips, that same color helps show the shape of my lips and keep my lips from blending in too much with the rest of my skin. Because I’m darker—I’m Peruvian—that dark brown is the only thing that shows up. Other actual lip liners I’ve tried just kind of look invisible.

Next I pop on my lip balm and lip color, and then rub my lips to blend it all. My balm is Glossier Balm Dotcom ($12), and I alternate between clear and cherry. Then I usually blot on my MAC lipstick in Hot Tahiti. Tragically, I think it’s discontinued—I’m so sad! It’s the most perfect pink: a little bit mauve and a little bit sheer, but if you build it up, it can get darker and brighter. My alternative to it is the Generation G Glossier Lipstick in Crush ($18). And then every so often I’ll do a red lip: I outline my whole lip in MAC Lip Pencil in Cherry ($18), add my Nyx brown liner in the corners, fill in with MAC Ruby Woo lipstick ($18.50), then rub my lips together to blend everything nicely.

For my brows I use Glossier Boy Brow in both brown and clear ($16 each). I use the brown to fill in the spaces and spots, and then use the clear to shape everything. Then I brush on Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara ($25). For highlighter I apply Glossier Haloscope in Quartz ($22) high up on my cheekbones, on my brow bone, and on the tip of my nose. In the summer I use Glossier Wowder in Light/Medium ($22) to bring down shine. It’s almost clear, and yet it gives me a little bit of coverage, which is nice. It takes a lot to make me look natural!

My going-out makeup look: $195

Anytime I’m getting my makeup done on a shoot, I’ll have the makeup artist use my Super Bounce Serum on me first—unless I’m hungover, in which case I’ll go for the Super Glow Serum ($28). And anytime I’m going out at night, I always put on another layer of the Bounce first. I think you’re only supposed to do it once a day, but whatever! At night I use the same makeup as daytime, plus I’ll wear foundation. I cocktail my own mixture: two thirds Glossier Skin Tint in dark ($26) mixed with one third Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($64). Most foundations are too thick and cakey for my skin. The Glossier Skin Tint is lightweight enough, but a little too lightweight. Blending the two is perfect, because it gives enough coverage and it doesn’t look like it’s sitting on top of my skin. I also like to use my favorite shadow colors from my Anastasia Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette ($42). I usually blend one, two, or three in a combo: Orange Soda, Burnt Orange, Sienna, Rustic, Cyprus Umber, Rose Pink, and Sultry. They go from orangey to pinky-browny, all in that color world. I sometimes add a little cat eye with Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen in Black 001 ($9), just a really thin line to extend the look of my lashes. I usually do my Nyx brown liner very close to my lash line, but for a nighttime look, I might also smudge in a little more of the darkest shadow from the Anastasia palette close to my lashes. At the end of everything, I use MAC Prep + Prime Fix Setting Spray ($26), and then finish with the Wowder.

My (bargain) evening skin care: $124

I take my makeup off with Lancôme Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover ($30), then use the Tula cleanser again, layer on Go-To Skin Face Oil ($45), and once that sinks in, I pop my moisturizer on top. I’ve been using Elucent Night Moisturizer ($35), which I got in Australia, and it’s amazing. My sister lives there, and a dermatologist suggested this cream to her. The next time I came to visit I was like, “What are you doing to your skin, and why do you look like you have no pores?” I had to get it. It basically exfoliates your face overnight—and it’s cheap! I also put Skyn Iceland Berry Lip Fix ($14) on before bed to help repair and replenish my lips while I sleep.

My perfume favorites: $434

These days for perfume I’m loving Byredo 1996 ($190). There’s just something about woody, musky scents that feels more human than something that’s really really clean or fresh. One of my favorite photographer duos, Inez and Vinoodh, created the Byredo 1996 as a capsule perfume the year I turned 30. Inez is so inspiring, so I had to buy it for myself. It’s something I tend to wear for a fancy thing at night—when I’m going out or when I’m on dates with my husband. But during the day I like to wear Margiela Lazy Sunday Morning ($126)—it’s more of a nostalgic scent for me because it smells like fresh linens. I also sometimes wear Glossier You ($60) for daytime—it’s a good size and durable. I try to keep one in my bag for when I need a spritz, just because I’m a smelly girl. And when I want a sexy, sexy, sexy scent, I use Narciso Rodriguez for Her ($56). I call it the Husband Catcher, because that’s how I got my man. I’ve been wearing it for over 10 years. It’s so good.

My brand-new hair-maintenance routine: roughly $800 so far

For years I’ve been touching up my grays with Garnier Olia in Darkest Brown ($10) every three to four weeks. It was a lucky find. I found the Olia when I first moved to America eight years ago, and I’ve been using it ever since. I tried a different brand once and it burned my scalp—never again! Always the Olia, just on the roots.

That said, I just got my hair dyed professionally. I got two blond streaks in the front this past week, and they’re really fun. I met a hairstylist I liked on a photo shoot, and she came to my house to do my hair here. Her name is Leatrice Lloyd. It was about $200 for a cut and color, and she did my roots too. Ordinarily I just trim my hair about three times a year—it’s roughly $200 at Spoke and Weal, and I go to anyone there, because I really like how they cut hair. But now that I’ve gotten the blond streaks, I don’t know what that’s going to cost me. The idea is that every month Leatrice is going to come back and do touch-ups and dye my roots, so it’s a whole new ball game! And I’m about to invest in a toner for blond hair.

My nonnegotiable nail treatments: $800 a year

I get acrylic nails done every two weeks ($25). And I get a brand-new set about every two months ($80). I like jelly nails right now, and they ain’t cheap. I like to keep my nails long and almond-shaped, which means I have to get acrylics because I’ve never been able to grow my nails and keep them from breaking or getting uneven. I’m always looking at my hands, and if I have nice nails it creates a little moment of zen: They’re all colorful, all symmetrical, all in front of me. It just gives me happiness. My staple is red, always, but I also love to branch out. Right now I’m into neons, like pink and green.

My every-so-often skin-fixing treatments: $831 a year

I do a face mask once every one to two weeks, or a couple days before a shoot or a big event. My favorite trick is mixing Aztec Secret’s clay mask with apple cider vinegar—I get the clay on Amazon for like $10 a tub, and it can last you a really long time. My husband and I share it, and we go through maybe two tubs over the course of a year. You can mix it with water, but I prefer apple cider vinegar because it makes the consistency of the mud so much better and smoother. It takes off all the dead skin and creates a plumping effect too.

Sometimes I’ll also put on a lip mask before an event. I love the Skyn Iceland Lip Gels ($28), which are really plumping and smooth out your lips. I also do those great Dr. Dennis Gross exfoliating face wipe pads ($88) once a week, and Nads Facial Wax Strips ($10) to remove facial hair every two weeks.

I’m going to start getting a Pixel Perfect laser treatment once a year. I love it. I’ve only done it once so far, but it’s made my skin a lot smoother and more even-toned. I went to Natural Beauty Med Spa, and it’s pricey—about $500. I definitely want to keep doing it; although if I had to cut back, that would be the first thing to go because it’s such an expense. If you’re in the position to afford it, you have to check it out. It has five days of downtime, which is intense—you really have to stay inside and put on tons of Aquaphor ($10) for the first few days. I have kids, so obviously I had to go outside to drop them at school, and I fully wore a balaclava and a sun hat! I looked insane, but I didn’t care, because afterward you have baby skin. It’s so worth it. I also get a Hydrafacial ($175) at the same med-spa once or twice a year. It’s great for me because I have such dry skin and tend to build up a lot of dead skin and gunk.

My relaxation techniques: $637 a year

I get about three massages a year, which cost roughly $120 each time. There’s a woman I really like named Bria at Spa Soak in Wicker Park. If she’s not available, I’ll go to Allyu Spa. They have a really good range of masseuses there. And maybe two days a year I’ll have a Korean spa day at King Spa. It’s awesome because $35 will buy you an all-day pass.

I’m also big on candles and hot baths. Three to four times a week I’ll use a cup or so of epsom salt ($5), light a candle—currently I have a Diptyque Jasmine one ($65) by the bath—and just soak. I candle-shop at Diptyque once a year. I’ve got one for the bathroom, one for the studio, one for downstairs. They’re all so good. My favorites are Jasmine, Feu de Bois, and Iris.

I also like to light palo santo ($7) in the mornings. It’s a very cleansing way to start the day, and I love the smell. I get it from a little wacky bookstore near my house called Space Oddities Chicago that sells vintage books, but also artwork from local artists, gemstones, candles, and tarot decks.





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DJ Lindsey Caldwell: What It Costs to Be Me


These days it’s nearly impossible to know what women are spending on the way they look. Someone with Instagram-flawless contouring might have honed her craft using the finest from the drugstore aisles, and the utterly makeup-free type might be spending thousands on laser treatments or face serums. Enter our series “What It Costs to Be Me,” where we’re asking interesting women for radical transparency.

Up this week: Lindsey Caldwell, DJ and mother of two from Long Island, New York. Her annual total? $3,673.50

DJ Lindsey Caldwell may well be DJ royalty. She’s spun her soulful, eclectic mix of classics and hits for everyone from Iman to the great late Prince. But she isn’t afraid to keep it real when it comes to the challenges of her life/work balancing act, especially when it comes to self-care: “My focus has changed for sure after having kids; it’s got even more difficult to keep organized—and moisturized,” says Caldwell. “Mom guilt is real, and the pull to be the best mom and wife is intensely stronger than it is to do anything for yourself.” Caldwell’s wellness and beauty priorities right now are about life-improving strategies that don’t cost much: meditation, a beloved weekly workout, a failsafe hair routine she’s got down to a science, some super chic (and time-saving) head wraps—and above all else, slowing down.

My simple morning skin care routine: $147

I use a basic cotton washcloth (a clean one every day) with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser ($20). That’s typically enough exfoliating for my face. For my body, I use Savon de Marseille soap ($8). After I wash, I moisturize my face with Kiehl’s Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate ($59) and Kiehl’s Rosa Arctica Lightweight Cream ($60). I also drink an obnoxious amount of water every day. And I go out of my way to eat more fruits and vegetables than anything else.

My evening wind-down ritual: $47

At night I use my Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser again and the brand’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($47). If my skin is particularly dry, I use my Rosa Arctica Lightweight Moisturizer again too. I also tie my hair down every night with a silk scarf to prevent breakage, tangling, and frizz.

My daytime makeup: $126

During the day, I wear a simple black eyeliner, usually whatever cheap-o eyeliner pen I’ve gotten from Ricky’s or the drugstore. The one I have now is from NYX ($9.50). I keep three lipsticks in rotation: NARS Schiap ($28), NARS Heat Wave ($28), and Mac Lady Danger ($18.50). I brush on a little Milk Makeup Kush Fiber Brow Gel in Dutch ($18), and I use Mac Cream Color Base in Improper Copper ($24) as a highlighter if I’m feeling fancy.

My DJ makeup: $280

If I’m DJ’ing, I’ll sometimes do my whole face. I use almost all MAC. After I moisturize, I apply Face and Body Foundation ($30), concealer in NC45 ($24), then Mineralize Skin Finish in both Dark Deep and Dark ($34 each), my Improper Copper highlighter, eyeliner, brows, and a lip. I use all MAC brushes—eyebrow ($20), shadow ($32), powder ($42), and foundation ($35).

Mascara kind of bugs out my eyes, so I only use a Sephora lash curler ($15). I really have to be doing something extra-fancy to put on fake lashes. They make me feel like I have palm tree fronds on my eyes. But if I am going to wear them, I’ll just get whatever new fake lashes they have at Sephora ($14) that are easy to apply. I love trying new stuff; my husband always laughs at me.

My chill-out bath routine and body products: $56

I live in my bathtub. I keep it pretty simple: I use epsom salt ($5) with NOW essential oils, usually lavender ($8). I love that brand, because its oils are usually cheaper. I’m also dying to try CBD oil soaks, but I’m waiting until after I finish breastfeeding to get into that territory.

For my body, I use Everyone Lotion ($11), which I also use on my son Henry. We like to mix it up with the scents; sometimes coconut, sometimes mint. In problem areas like my heels and cuticles, I use Ouai Rose Hair and Body Oil ($32). A good friend recommended it, and it’s the only thing that isn’t Aquaphor that gets ashy skin right. It’s a very light oil and way less messy than other things I’ve tried.

My spirit-lifting scents: $397

I love clearing the air with sage ($10) or palo santo ($7). It’s part of the whole experience when I take a bath or if I’m about to meditate. If I don’t have time for a bath, I’ll sometimes put a few drops of essential oil on the shower drain.

We love Diptyque candles ($65 each): Right now we have Santal and Tubereuse in our living room, the grass-scented one in the bathroom, Menthe Vert in the kitchen, and the Baies black currant candle. And then we have nepali rope ($8), Murray and Lanman Florida Water ($8), sweetgrass ($15), essential oils, and rose water ($24)—all that witchy stuff. I get it all on Amazon.

When I walk into my house I want it to smell a certain way, and that in and of itself is calming to me. We even lined the walkway to our old house with lavender for that purpose. Even when there are giant plastic toys all over the place, and I step on a Lego or two, the scents help me stay a little more decompressed.

My weekly hair routine: $175.50

Here’s what I do for wash day, which is once a week: I use 3-inch butterfly hair clips ($3) and a wide toothed comb ($3) to section and clip up my hair. Then I cleanse and detangle my hair in sections with Devacurl No Poo Decadence ($22), twisting each clean detangled hair section into a little bantu knot with Hair Rules Quench Conditioner ($22) as I go. Then once it’s all detangled, I rinse out the conditioner and get out of the shower.

If I’m styling my hair into a wash-and-go, I use Kinky-Curly Knot Today ($12) as a leave-in and then nearly a third of the jar of KeraCare Clear Protein Styling Gel ($17) to capture my curl pattern. Then I go sit under a hood dryer ($40) for the rest of my life—just kidding, for like one or two hours. Usually that gets interrupted and it air dries the rest of the way because…kids.

I also wear a head wrap a few times a week to give my hair a break from all the styling products. I love The Wrap Life head wraps ( $26) because there are so many different ways to wear them. On days I have them on, I leave my hair in twists and work in Giovanni Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture Conditioner ($9) after my shower, then put my own grapeseed oil ($6) and rosemary essential oil ($6.50) mixture on my scalp. My scalp is always itchy and dry—it’s just the nature of my hair—and this blend helps soothe and smells so good. And if my hairline is showing, I use Design Essentials Sleek Max Strength Edge Control ($9) with a toothbrush to lay my edges. My hair does what it wants, so I need that extra hold.

My special occasion hair looks: roughly $640 a year

I get braids around two to three times a year—usually whenever I don’t want deal with my hair and would rather focus on the music for big gigs. The only downside is that they’re not always gentle on your hair and some places have really torn out my edges. So when I do get them, I invest. My braider Inna is super gentle—plus, she’s done hair for Beyoncé! My last style, box braids inspired by Rihanna’s 2015 cover of i-D, cost about $200.

I also used to buy a lot of wigs when I had time to mess around with them. They’re a fun and quick solution, because a weave is like the worst torture ever. And if you get good human hair, sew-ins can cost up to $1,000 or more—another reason I don’t usually get them. I prefer the freedom of a wig: I can take it off at night, shake it out, and put it on the shelf. If I want a cheap, trendy one, I’ll go on elevatestyles.com, where they have super-cheap synthetic wigs. I’ll find the name of a few I think are cute, then go on YouTube to read reviews for the full tea on each one. From there, I’ll narrow it down to one that’s about $40, has minimal shedding, and by then I have all the cheats for how to make it look more natural. If I want to spring for one that’s expensive, I go to evawigs.com. Usually they have a picture of a celebrity, and you can buy a similar wig. They can also custom-make wigs, which cost about $500.

My quarterly hair cuts: $600 a year

I do really love changing my hair, but I care way more about keeping it healthy. Before I had kids, I used to go to H2 Salon Brooklyn once a week to get my hair done. Now I go every three months to get my ends trimmed, get a deep condition, and to kiki with them because it’s so fun in there and the owner programs the best music. I usually go to Char. She always suggests style changes to keep things exciting but manageable and healthy. It costs around $150, plus tip, depending on what I get done.

My exercise regimen: $780 a year

Every Monday at 10 A.M. I do my pilates class on Google Hangouts with Lisa Schoenholt at Brooklyn Embodied ($15 a class). She’s a miracle worker and closed my diastasis recti in no time after both pregnancies. I do the class with a couple other moms, and Lisa watches and corrects us over video. I started doing it around four months postpartum. I love that it cuts out the commute time, so it’s easy to commit to. I practice the breathing Lisa teaches throughout the day to keep my transverse abdominis (the deepest layer of ab muscles) pulled in as tightly as I can to avoid any potential back issues or reopening my diastasis.

This class is one of the most important things I spend money on. Not only does my body feel better afterwards, but I also feel better about the way I look in general. It’s been a huge part of avoiding postpartum depression, as much as anyone can.

My meditation practice and sanity-saving tactics: $425

Last year when I became pregnant with Amel (my youngest), my husband and I started taking HypnoBirthing classes with Gina at Jaya Yoga ($425 for a 5-week series). All of the practice meditations really changed me. I was always giving to others and never taking the time out to focus on my own mental health. Plus, work-wise, the past few years have been really intense. DJ’ing has become less about your skills as a DJ and more about your social media following, and being that bound to followers and likes takes a toll on you. I’m now trying to change what my idea of success is; which is where the meditation also comes in. It’s made this go-round with the baby so much more enjoyable. I’ll do it at night to help me get to sleep—until Amel wakes me up, of course.





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What It Costs to Be Me: Lingerie Designer TyLynn Nguyen


These days it’s nearly impossible to know what women are spending on the way they look. Someone with Instagram-flawless contouring might have honed her craft using the finest from the drugstore aisles, and the utterly makeup-free type might be spending thousands on laser treatments or face serums. Enter our series “What It Costs to Be Me,” where we’re asking interesting women for radical transparency.

Up this week: TyLynn Nguyen, 31, a lingerie designer and mother of three from Calabasas, California. Her annual total? $9,585

There are few people to whom the adjective “luminous” can be applied 100 percent unironically; TyLynn Nguyen is one of them. (Go peruse her Instagram; it’s simply a fact.) This truth is all the more extraordinary given that Nguyen has three kids (an eight-month-old, a three-year-old, and a six-year-old) and runs her gorgeous lingerie line, TyLynn Nguyen. Her pared-down, radically sleek aesthetic seems effortless, but her particular brand of self-care does take rigor, especially when it comes to her skin care routine (regular facials, scrubs, masks, et al.) and exercise (intensive one-on-one ballet lessons). That said, it isn’t about cloaking reality. “I’m really about looking like yourself,” she says. “I’m for accentuating whatever greatness God’s already given you.”

My Simple Morning Skin-Care Routine: $155

My general philosophy is consistency. I always wash my face twice a day: In the morning I usually use Chanel La Mousse ($45) and then follow with an oil moisturizer. True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Oil ($110) is so, so good. I like that the ingredients are very clean. It doesn’t feel heavy, but it’s definitely there, and most important, it doesn’t feel like you’re getting your skin dirty. I love the smell too—even the color.

My (Triple!) Cleansing P.M. Skin Ritual: $610

I wash my face again at night with an oil cleanser if I’m wearing makeup during the day. Chanel L’Huile Anti-Pollution Cleansing Oil ($45) is incredible at taking off makeup. The oil cleanser is mostly just to lift and release the makeup, and then I’ll cleanse again, either with the Chanel cleanser from the morning or African Botanics’ Buchu Enzyme Polish ($75) to really wash my face. Then I go to a scrub; I scrub every night. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a black woman or what (my mom is a mix of German, Dutch, Swiss, and Ukranian, and my dad is Sudanese African and Cherokee Indian), but I think with the combination of all those beautiful ethnicities, maybe my skin just turns over more quickly? Omorivicza’s Facial Polisher ($95) is gentle, but it does the job really well. Then I use Biologique Recherche Lotion P50W ($67)—it just zings dirt right out of my skin. Last I layer on Crème de la Mer ($325) to moisturize.

My Two Fail-safe Complexion Fixers: $460

If I’m home with the baby and I have a small breakout, I’ll go the whole day with a mask on wherever those problem areas are. Yeah, I’m so extra—pimples, begone! I spot-treat with the African Botanics Mineral Cleansing Mask ($85) anywhere there’s a bump and literally leave it on all day.

I also use the La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask ($375) twice a week. It is so good. Because I live in Calabasas and it’s the desert, I need a lot of hydration. I’ve never spent money on Botox, and I feel like my skin looks the way it does because I think about moisture. That, and food—I try to stick with fruits and vegetables. It’s about eating what you like but making sure it’s good and from the ground.

My At-Home Face Massager: $25

I’ve been loving using this rose quartz flat facial tool called gua sha ($25)—one side has three carved indents; the other side is shaped like a fin of a dolphin. I got it from Julie Civiello Polier, who does shamanic facials in L.A. You can use it to massage your face with whatever moisturizer you usually use—I like to use it with my True Botanicals oil. I just kind of push it around my face in an upward motion. Julie says when you’re finishing the massage to sweep the flat side of the stone from the middle of your face outward and then down your neck, which helps to drain your lymphs. It boosts circulation in your face, and it feels so good. I use it almost every night now. And so does my husband!

My Crucial Shower Regimen: $297

I shower twice a day. I just really like being clean. That’s probably annoying and I could save water, but I’m basically always juggling something—either running around for work or the kids during the day, then up all night with the baby. Plus, my metabolism’s fast, so I sweat. For my body I use the Oribe Côte D’Azure Body Wash ($42) and Body Scrub ($65). They smell like the French Riviera. And I’m using this razor by Mave ($75). It looks like a little sculpture.

Then there’s my hair. My mom has blond hair, my dad has really fine curly hair, so mine ended up somewhere in between. It’s pretty curly, but when it’s straight, it’s like baby hair—it’s strong, but it’s thin. I don’t know how else to describe it. I shampoo only twice a week and condition four times a week. Right now I’m using Obliphica Seaberry Shampoo ($24) and Conditioner ($26); they’re great to my curls. Every three days I leave a deep moisture mask on my hair for 15 minutes. Leonor Greyl Masque Fleurs De Jasmine ($65) is amazing.

My Low-Key Hair Maintenance: $1,704

I usually wear it slicked back in a low bun—pretty low-maintenance. When I get out of the shower, I put Leonor Greyl Secret de Beauté Hair and Body Oil ($66) in my hair right away. Then I use Oribe Star Glow Styling Wax ($42) and Oribe Airstyle Flexible Finish Cream ($42) together with a Mason Pearson bristle brush ($150) to achieve the comb-down for my flat little bun. Finally I spray Oribe hairspray ($38) in the front to toothbrush-comb down the flyaways. It’s an old wooden toothbrush by Goodwell Co. ($6), and it’s wonderful.

Twice a month I get my hair blow-dried because I like it straight sometimes: $40 at the new DryBar here in Calabasas. Twice a year I get a haircut at Spoke and Weal (about $200)—I see Lindsay or Chelsea, and they’re both fantastic at cutting and blow-drying. I’ve never colored my hair.

My (Mostly) Subtle Makeup: $288

I have a lot of makeup, but I don’t wear a lot on. Right now the foundation I’m using is Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in Number 50 ($50), which goes on like a tinted sunscreen. It has a very slight luminescence, not overbearing, because I don’t want to look like a lightbulb, and I think this does it without shouting, “Look at the shimmer on my cheekbones!” They’re really pronounced as it is. When it comes to blush, I’m into Kosas Tropic Equinox ($34)—the darker color in the cream duo, not the illuminator. I think cream disappears into your skin more easily than powder; it’s that little touch that still feels natural, where you can still get that flush to your skin without being too extra about it.

I don’t like that whole super-dark-eyebrows look. So I use Josie Maran The Good Brow in Medium Deep ($24), but I don’t smoosh it on. I use it very lightly to reinforce areas that are sparse. On my lashes I use the Utowa eyelash curler ($22) and follow with Chanel Inimitable Mascara ($32). Sometimes I wear Chanel Les Quatres Ombres eyeshadow quad in Candeur et Expérience ($64), which I apply with my fingertips. It’s super easy and saturates your lids nicely.

On my lips I like Pat McGrath’s lip pencil in Done Undone ($25), which is pretty close to my actual lip color. It feels great on and looks very natural. When I put on my face oil, I include my lips so they’re really moisturized. And I color in my whole mouth with the pencil like it’s a lipstick. I also wear a red lip often, depending on my mood. I love Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Matte Liquid Lip Color in Choquant ($37), which means “shocking” in French—that particular red looks so good on my skin.

My Must-Have Body Products: $346

I love my deodorant: Aesop Herbal Deodorant Roll-On ($35). I like the way it smells, that it’s good for you, and that it feels great going on your skin. And you don’t smell like a flower garden. No offense to anyone who does, but it’s not my thing.

For body moisturizer, I use one of two things depending on the day. If my skin’s super dry, I use La Mer The Body Crème ($275) or I use Topicrem ($36), a French moisturizing body milk I discovered in Paris. I went to a pharmacy there because I needed some lotion, I picked it up randomly, and I was like, This is amazing! I’ve been using it ever since. It smells like a baby bath, like a clean, fresh baby in the bathtub.

My Favorite Facials and Body Treatments: $4,800

I get facials once a month from Camille Fields. She uses only Biologique Recherche products, and I spend anywhere from $200 to $500 on my treatments. But she’s just so good with skin—the way she extracts, the way she builds her treatments. I think that’s such a huge thing, finding someone who understands your skin.

I like to do a sauna or a massage occasionally. I think it’s good to be massaged, to just move blood around your body, make sure your muscles aren’t tense. With three kids I’m always carrying somebody, so I want to make sure things aren’t out of line. I’ve been trying to find somewhere out here in Calabasas and the only spa I’ve liked so far is Burke Williams. It doesn’t exactly give me the vibe I want but it does the job. I go for an hour to 90 minutes, which is about $100 to $200. It’s so important to go a couple times year. I also try to see a chiropractor maybe once a year to get my body aligned correctly. Those appointments are about $300 but can be less depending on your health insurance.

My Splurgy-But-Necessary Return to Exercise: $900 so far

For a long time now I haven’t been doing anything exercise-wise—I’ve been adjusting to having three children. I mean, all praise to God because I was given good genes. But I love working out, and I used to take ballet before my kids and when I was pregnant. I love how it stretches your mind and body. Now I’m taking ballet again two or three times a week with a private trainer named Romi. She’s the owner of Ballet Bodies—it’s $900 for 10 classes a month. I think I’ll probably stick to that frequency. The discipline, poise, and sculpting is important to me, and I enjoy the rigor and precision that having a one-on-one trainer provides. It teaches you mind control too. There are a lot of life lessons you can learn from being in a position you don’t enjoy. Ballet does that for you.





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What It Costs to Be Me: Reese Blutstein


These days it’s nearly impossible to know what women are spending on the way they look. Someone with Instagram-flawless contouring might have honed her craft using the finest from the drugstore aisles, and the utterly makeup-free type might be spending thousands on laser treatments or face serums. Enter our series “What It Costs to Be Me,” where we’re asking interesting women for radical transparency.

Up this week: Reese Blutstein, a 22-year-old fashion influencer (and identical twin!) from Atlanta, Georgia. Her annual total? $1,721

Reese Blutstein’s beauty approach, in a word: Simple. (That much you can guess from a glance at the appealingly minimalist fashion and clean-skinned looks on her Instagram account, @double3xposure). But “simple” is a far cry from uninformed: her medicine cabinet is a finely curated collection of natural-minded oils, chic scents, and sheer, creamy, there-but-not-there makeup formulations. “I’m more into skin care than actual makeup,” she says. “As far as my makeup point of view, I keep the emphasis on big eyebrows and glowy cheekbones.”

My Skin Care Regimen: $295

The face wash I use is Cle Cosmetics Melting Cleanser ($28). It’s super light, doesn’t leave any residue, and makes my skin so soft. And the Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil ($80) saved my skin. I get hormonal acne on my chin from time to time, but since using the UFO oil four times a week, I only get maybe one zit each month, if that. I’ve never had a product work as well as it, which completely justifies the price. On the other days, I’ll use the F. Miller Face Oil ($75), which has the most soothing smell. I like to put it on when I’m trying to relax at night. That’s my favorite, but I also use Little Barn Apothecary Orchid + Blackcurrant Antioxidant Face Serum ($52). I’m also into the Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich ($35), and for protection, the Glossier Sunscreen ($25). I like it because it doesn’t even feel like you have anything on your face.

My Daytime Makeup: $129

Brows are a big thing for me, so I swear by the Dior eyebrow wand in brown ($29). It gets my brows to stay exactly where I want them to all day long. I’ll do a little Glossier blush in Haze or Puff ($18, each), then finish with a combo of Make Beauty Dew Pot ($20) and Marc Jacobs Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter ($44) right on my cheekbones. That’s pretty much all I do for everyday makeup.

My Shower Routine: $163

I love the Le Labo Hinoki Shampoo ($27) so much. It smells incredible and leaves my hair feeling so silky. I never use conditioner because I don’t feel the need for it. I also use its body wash ($24) and coffee scrub ($44), which I highly recommend. I also love Le Labo Hinoki Body Lotion ($40). As you can tell, I’m a huge fan of their products. In terms of styling and leave-in products, I use the Elizabeth and James Nirvana Rose Dry Shampoo ($28). Honestly, it’s a lifesaver, because I don’t like to wash my hair too often. Dirty hair always looks best!

My Nighttime Makeup: $54

My evening makeup is pretty much the same as my daytime look except I’ll swipe on a lipstick like Glossier in Jam ($18) or a shimmery eyeshadow. Chanel has a really pretty cream pink shimmer eyeshadow ($36) that I love.

My One Evening Skin Care Must: $60

Not much changes from my morning routine, but I will add an eye cream by Grown Alchemist ($60) before bed.

My Occasional Skin and Nail Treats: $825 a year

My favorite moisturizing sheet mask is by Saturday Skin ($6). It’s got a jelly-like consistency and makes my skin so soft. I’ll use it three times a month to keep my skin in check. My other favorite mask is the Dior Pores Away Pink Clay Mask ($69). It smells so good and it makes my skin insanely smooth. The only other thing I do consistently is get my nails done at Lush Nail Spa twice a month. I always do a gel mani, which sets me back around $30, but they last so long!

My Hair Maintenance: $195 a year

I don’t do anything to my hair except get it cut every four months at Zonolite Studios ($65 per haircut). Tara’s my girl—she’s the best! I try to take biotin for my hair and nails, but I’m bad at remembering to take it, so that doesn’t really count.

My Exercise Routine: $0

No gym membership for me! HA! But for real, I should probably work out more often. I will take a walk on this really pretty boardwalk near my house, though. It’s through a forest, about two miles long, and it’s incredibly relaxing.





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