How cute is THAT? That adorable lady is Joan, who writes a widely-read fashion/lifestyle/art/etc. blog I’m now in love with, The Brown Girl Files. (She did an interview with me! I was super flattered.) You’ve probably seen her around town wearing her trademark red eyeglasses and sporting a fantastic ensemble. Add her to my list of girl crushes, please. Let’s see what products this beauty relies on in her busy day-to-day life.
When did you start wearing makeup? - I think I started wearing makeup in the 8th grade. Secretly of course. My mother would have had a heart attack and sent me to boarding school—-no joke.
Who taught you/what products did you use? - It was trial and error for the first 5 years. I was the girl with the ridiculous light blue and silver eye shadow during my science presentation on the “many uses of chloride.” Basically I looked like a hooker when I tried to wear makeup. Around 20 or 21 is where things started to change. I bought The Beauty of Color by Iman and my life changed. I found someone who understood my skin tone and a resource of products that would actually make me look normal and not like I was part of a vegas style dance troupe.
What is your greatest beauty strength? - Taking care of my skin. It’s the one thing I pride myself on. I have a very strict routine (given to me by my mother) and I’m very devoted to the products that I use. I can honestly say that I rarely suffer from acne, or pimples or dryness. My mother always said that flawless skin is the most important thing for every woman. She always told me that it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing because everything looks great on good skin. This coming from a 50-year-old woman who has the face and the body of a 25-year-old. She knows what she’s talking about!
What is your daily beauty routine? - Fifteen minute power shower in the morning, blow dry and style my hair (I just cut it so it’s much easier and faster to do), wash my face with Clinique soap, air dry (I’m terribly scared of putting anything on my face towel wise.) I use Ponds Daily moisturizer in the winter, but during the summer I rarely need it. I wear a light foundation primer (Sephora), then use MAC Pure Orange skin corrector under my eyes, followed by a light application of Clinique’s Perfectly Real Makeup. I then do a quick sweep of eyeshadow, followed by an application of mascara (CoverGirl during day, Chanel at night), add blush (Chanel), and lip gloss. During the winter I wear red lipstick. It’s a thing I guess.
What are your favorite products? What can’t you live without? -
Favorites: Chanel’s Rogue Coco Lipstick in Paris. I bought it while I was in Paris because the guy at the makeup counter kept saying, “You are in Paris…you must wear zee French color!” Stella McCartney’s Stella for perfume, OPI Nail Lacquer in Comet Loves Cupid.
Can’t live without: Clinique Clarifying Lotion #3, Clinique soap, and Nivea Skin firming lotion (This product is PURE gold; there is a reason I can proudly say I have the cellulite under control! Well, for now…who’s to know what will happen in 20 years.)
Who are your beauty icons? - Deborah Harry, Grace Jones (one of the most beautiful black women I’ve ever seen!), Liya Kibede, Gwen Stefani (Great minds think alike!)
What’s a beauty trend you’d like to see disappear forever? - Lipstick in all shades outside of reds, pinks, corals, or nudes. Completely ridiculous. I mean, who are you going to be kissing with such lips?
