This foxy chick is my friend Lindsay Sue Johnson, formerly of Minneapolis and now a resident of New York City. We had a French class together way, way back in the day and became friendly after I expressed my envy of her Marc by Marc Jacobs pear necklace. I got to stay with her when I visited the city a few years ago and was overwhelmed by how pretty she was naturally; just give the girl a pop of blush and she’s gorgeous. She let me in on her secrets.
Let’s talk about Caroline Smith. You may know her as the frontwoman for Caroline Smith & the Good Night Sleeps, a local band currently roaming the U.S. They’re obviously fantastic. I met Caroline the first week of our freshman year at the U of M back in 2006; she lived across the hall and I used to hear her beautiful voice drifting underneath her door. I’ve always admired Caroline’s style and her seamless transition between blonde and brunette. She spilled some beauty secrets for me - read them, and then go buy her albums. I’m serious.
When did you start wearing makeup? - When I started getting pimples, for sure. My mother taught me to apply my concealer by patting it in instead of rubbing it in.
Who taught you/what products did you use? - ”Teenage Beauty” by Bobbi Brown changed my life. It’s a book I’ll pass down to my daughters.
What is your greatest beauty strength? - My hair; it’s huge, it’s crazy, it’s uncontrollable. and i just started appreciating it this past year. It took me 23 years to realize having hair that makes you unique is a blessing- not something to try to cover up or pretend it’s something it isn’t. You gotta own it.
What is your daily beauty routine? - I totally just let my hair air dry, no muss no fuss. but I could never survive with out my “Be Curly Curl Enhancer” from Aveda. I usually make it out of the house with a bit of bronzer, mascara (I have blonde eyelashes or else I’d bag the stuff) and my hair down and curly. And I never leave the house with out taking my daily vitamins; true beauty starts within.
What are your favorite products? What can’t you live without? - See above 
Also MAC makeup: I’m obsessed. And everything else I own is Aveda. And I mean EVERYTHING from hair brush to makeup bag.
Who are your beauty icons? - My best friend, Emma C. Cook. She has amazing style.
What’s a trend you’d like to see disappear forever?- Purple eye shadow is coming back into style. Ugh, kill me; how gross.
Personal Beauty advice from Caroline Smith:
“Own it.”
This insanely gorgeous girl is Barbara Paz, ex-Minneapolitan currently residing in Brazil. I met her at June Resale one night and will never forget a) her boots and b) how sweet and instantly warm and personable she was. I consider Barbara one of the nicest, most genuine chicks I’ve ever met. (As well as one of the most naturally beautiful.) Having seen her amazing apartment in the North Loop in Minneapolis, I knew her makeup stash would be just as pristine and chic. And it totally is.
When did you start wearing make-up?
I think I started wearing make-up when I was 14 or 15. I would only put it on when going out with friends at night, specially during my vacations in Brazil. Being from Brazil, I grew up believing make-up was only necessary for special occasions. Brazilians hardly ever wear it to work or school. This made me grow up thinking of make-up as glamorous, specially when I saw my older sister’s and my mother getting it done professionally for weddings or big parties which is very common in Brazil. I’ve always thought of it as a luxury, not a necessity.
Who taught you/what products did you use?
I believe I taught myself how to do my own make-up. I’d watch my sister’s putting it on and then I’d eventually play around with their products once they left the house, I guess in some ways they did teach me. I remember looking through tons of necessaires in our bathroom, all filled with products by Chanel, Nars, YSL, Shu Uemura, Kevyn Aucoin, etc. At that time I had no idea how much make-up cost —That I came to find out when I accidently spilled a full bottle of foundation all over our bathroom.
What is your greatest beauty strength?
People often compliment my eyebrows. They tell me they look like they’ve been drawn on specially after they’ve been professionally tweezed. I try to keep them clean but definitely never thin. I always tell whoever is tweezing them that I’d like them straight across and still thick.
What is you daily beauty routine?
When I wake up, I wash my face with Shiseido’s Pureness deep cleansing foam and then I either use Shiseido’s Pureness anti-shine toner or Sisley’s Grapefruit toning lotion; both are fantastic for combination skin. As lotion, I apply a tiny bit of Shiseido’s Pureness matifying moisturizer which is oil-free and perfect for warmer weather.
On my hair, one product that has stuck for a while now is the Moroccan Oil Treatment. I use it everyday and I think it really helps with split ends. Recently I have also been substituting it at times with Rodin by Recine’s Olio Lusso which is also a hair oil I am fond of but unfortunately it’s pricier than the Moroccan Oil. Both are fantastic natural hair products that leave my curls shiny and strong!
What are your favorite products?
Deborah Lippmann is probably my favorite nail polish line. I have tons of nail polish by her. I love Chanel colors and I always buy their latest shades but they do tend to chip easily. With Deborah Lippmann you can always count on a long-lasting manicure.
For my lips, a product I absolutely LOVE is Sugar Plum Tinted Lip Treatment with SPF 15. It’s perfect for my skin tone and it hydrates my lips like no other. The Rosé color is also lovely!
On my body, two products I have recently fallen in love with are Sisley’s Energizing Foaming Exfoliant and Sisley’s Slimming Complex lotion which combats fat deposits, drains, smoothes and firms silhouettes! I’ve recently started working out a lot as well as dieting correctly, these two products make it so my skin stays firm as I shed the extra pounds!
What can’t you live without?
Serge Lutens, Diptyque, and Santa Maria Novella perfume! I’m obsessed! Specially Olene Eau de Toilette by Diptyque, Chergui by Serge Lutens, and Melograno by Santa Maria Novella. I guess you could say those are my three signature scents. A friend once said Chergui is my party fragrance! I wear it whenever I go out. He foresees trouble as soon as I put it on.
As for makeup, three products I can’t live without are Guerlain’s Terracotta powders, La Mer’s The Powder, and Laura Mercier’s Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder. I put on the La Mer powder first and soon after I use the Guerlain Terracotta powder for a healthy glow. To seal the deal I use Laura Mercier’s Smooth Focus Powder so my makeup lasts all night! Although pricey, these three products last forever and are flawless!
Who are your beauty icons?
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. I don’t think there’s ever been someone with more elegance and grace than Jackie O, not to mention her impeccable taste!
Helena Christensen. She barely wears any makeup and still always looks gorgeous.
Natalia Vodianova. She always looks perfect; it’s almost frightening.
What’s a beauty trend you’d like to see disappear forever?
The Jersey Shore tan. I really don’t understand how someone can leave their home looking like a pumpkin. Let’s be real, no person is actually that color. Why do some people still think that’s a good look??? Very confusing.
As you can probably tell from my Beauty Interview series, I have a lot of really pretty friends. Lottie Anderson is one of them. Isn’t she one of the most naturally striking beauties you’ve ever seen? I think so. Every time I see her I’m kind of shocked at how pretty she is.
When did you start wearing makeup? I started wearing make up for dress up purposes only when I was about 3 or 4. My mom let me have her discarded lipstick and blushes and I made quick work of them, practicing on my baby brother and myself. My mother always said I had a knack for it although looking back on pictures it would appear I was practicing for clown school.
Who taught you? What products did you use? I always looked up to my grandmother; she is a very sophisticated woman. She put herself together very well and my curious eyes couldn’t help but notice her Lancome-laden makeup bag and jewel-encrusted Estee Lauder perfumes. I knew I wanted to use such lotions and potions as soon as I could officially “use makeup appropriately.” Since then I’ve been dabbling between natural and organic products and the higher-end products I know I can always trust.
What’s your greatest beauty strength? It depends on the day. I get compliments on my eyebrows, but never my eyes for example. I have always had apple cheeks and dimples, which makes it fun to experiment with blush - but I really wouldn’t consider chubby cheeks a strength. More of an attribute I’ve learned to embrace.
What’s your daily routine like? I have very touchy combination skin; the less I do/wear the happier it is. I try to keep everything gentle, simple and light. I wash every morning and night with my Bobbi Brown brightening cleanser - it’s creamy and gentle but makes you feel squeaky clean. For the day time I use a light SPF moisturizer, but at night I get crazy with my caviar serum and propolis (which contains bee pollen, a natural antioxidant.) If I have a dry patch I will use my natural apricot heavy-duty cream. Blemishes require their own special treatment.
What are your favorite products? What can’t you live without? I honestly can’t live without my John Frieda Go Blonder controlled lightening spray - I wouldn’t have the hair color I do today without it! Every day I spritz my roots and blow dry; it keeps it natural looking and unlike other “sun-in” products it isn’t sticky and it doesn’t reek of peroxide. I also need all my fragrances. It’s good to have options. Special days require different scents. Most days I mist with Marc Jacobs Basil - its light and unobtrusive - but going out or going to an interview is a different story.
Who are your beauty icons? I try to find inspiration constantly - photographers and beauty icons to fine artists to inspire my style and vibe. Of course I will always adore Kate Lanphear; she’s my number one. I also love Chloe Sevigny. Back when I was a brunette with bangs I channeled Anna Karina. Catherine Deneuve is inspiration past - present - and future. Such an elegant figure … I can only hope to grasp a bit of her grace.
What’s a beauty trend you’d like to see disappear forever? Please, please, please someone burn all of Kate Middletons eye pencils. It’s heavy, unflattering and unnecessary. Her and Pippa are inspiring a trend of catastrophic proportions - it’s like ladies everywhere have returned to middle school when we all had way too much fun with that pencil. It was new, it was exciting, it was bold and maybe a bit rebellious? For a 12 year old. This is all I have to say on the matter. (Editor’s note: YES! Agreed!)
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?
Meghan McAndrews, best known as the High Plains Thrifter, has a true passion for vintage. She loves to scour the aisles of thrift stores from here to Fargo hunting down adorable knick-knacks and one-of-a-kind pieces. Ms. Meghan is the cofounder of Mighty Swell, an “occasional vintage boutique” that’s having its next huge sale July 23-24. I’m crossing my fingers I can attend, because I know she’s an expert in well-edited vintage goodness. But she’s also got a passion for beauty; she writes the “Beauty Thrifter” column for my girl Beauty Bets and now she’s talking to me about her faves!
Daune Stinson owns upscale resale boutique June (on 34th & Lyndale) and I’m so glad I discovered it, but more importantly, her. As I’ve said before, she’s one of the coolest chicks I know and has exquisite taste. She’s sold me some of my favorite pieces of clothing ever, especially the light blue Mongolian lamb vest I purchased from her last year. I figured her excellent taste would run to makeup too, and what do you know? It does. Check it out.
This is Jackie Roscoe WITHOUT MAKEUP. She’s flawless, and I should know; she gave me my very first lapdance last April. You’ve seen her here before, but I think she’s so pretty I wanted to feature her lovely face again. LOOK at her eyebrows. Let’s play in her makeup bag!
When did you start wearing makeup? - I started experimenting with makeup when I was in 6th grade. The smoky eye was my immediate favorite, but my mom wouldn’t let me wear makeup to school until I learned to tone it down. I still have trouble with “day” and “night” makeup.
Who taught you/what products did you use? - I’m grateful my mom taught me all the basics…and she taught me right! I started off using her products: Lancome, Shiseido, Chanel, YSL, etc. When I started buying my own makeup, it was MAC. I don’t think I’ve ever owned a drugstore compact.
What is your greatest beauty strength? - Probably my eyebrows. Most days I will just fill them in and skip all other makeup. A perfect pair of defined brows is the finishing touch on any face.
What is your daily beauty routine? - My beauty routine changes daily, and I could write a book on all the weird things I do. My “beauty” matters the most on weekends, so after the gym/tanning, I will take a long shower and exfoliate/shave and wash my hair with my new favorite product—baking soda. That’s right, I’ll probably never use real shampoo again. I’ll condition with Moroccan Oil and an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse. My hair is sooo soft and perfect after that. I then apply makeup (mostly Makeup Forever, Kat Von D, or Urban Decay), and blow dry/flat iron my hair!
What are your favorite products? What can’t you live without? - I have so many products, and I use them ALL (depending on the day). My absolute favorites are my T3 blow dryer, CHI flat iron, everything from the Make Up For Ever HD line, and my current fragrance—Cleopatra by Tocca. I wouldn’t be able to live without Bumble & Bumble Tonic hair lotion, Follique (a wonder product that banishes ingrown hairs), coconut oil (for hair and body), NARS lip gloss in “Super Orgasm” and my rhinestones that I glue around my eyes.
Who are your beauty icons? - Pornstars and drag queens.
What’s a beauty trend you’d like to see disappear forever? - Pastel lips!! I know lavender lipstick is really tempting, but it looks good on NO ONE.
Janelle Zara is living the dream life out in NYC. She writes for a bunch of publications, sometimes gets free YSL lipstick and hung out with Vera Wang. I’m jealous. Janelle is also one of the coolest, most wonderful and amazing chicks I know and I have been leaning on her petite (but super strong!) shoulder emotionally the past few days. Couldn’t live without her. THANKS, girl. Also, did I mention she’s totally hot? Look at her! So what does my NYC girlfriend depend on to look as pretty as she does? She’ll explain.
Laleh Akhavi entered my life as a subleaser in a house I lived in a few years back. Thank God she did, because I can’t live without her. She’s a light in my life, an energetic presence and one of my favorite shopping partners. She’s a master of the blowout and did me the greatest service ever when she introduced me to brow guru Pamela. (Read below.) Did I mention she’s my occasional hairstylist? She took me from white-blonde to dark, dark brown awhile ago … a dramatic change, but I trust her! Laleh is the greatest, and now that we both work downtown I get to see her far more often!
When did you start wearing makeup? I was probably in seventh or eighth grade.
Who taught you/what products did you use? My early makeup/beauty years were jam packed with Bonne Bell Lip Smacker Party Packs, Bath and Body Works body sprays and Wet ‘n Wild nail polish. Curiously, I began to raid my mom’s makeup bag and became introduced to Lancome, Dior and Shiseido. That’s when it all changed.
What is your greatest beauty strength? My brows. This has less to do with me and more to do with a great esthetician named Pamela. (Editor’s note: She’s a genius and no, we won’t refer you for fear of losing her.)
What is your daily beauty routine? I wish I could say I have a daily beauty routine. Typically, I give myself approximately 5-10 minutes to assemble my entire look before dashing out the door for work. You’re probably thinking, wow you must look homeless when you get to work! But here’s the trick – I do all my prepping the night before.
My evening routine includes: taking a long shower right before bed wherein I wash my hair with my favorite keratin-infused, sulfate-free shampoo of the week, cleanse thoroughly with my Clairsonic, and lather up with one of Mistral’s fragrant French soap bars (I recommend South Seas or Sweet Neroli). The second before I go to bed I put on my RareMinerals moisturizer and let 8 hours of sleep do the rest of the work. All that’s left in the AM is mascara, deodorant, and a spritz of Lanvin.
What are your favorite products? What can’t you live without? Like any typical 20-something female, I always have beauty products lining my vanity and bathroom counter space. A few weeks ago I decided I needed to get rid of the products that I am not using - that said, I now have a perfect answer to your question. My absolute favorite products are: Kerastase Elixir Ultime (chock full of argan oil), Aveda Air Control, mascara (I’m ok with anything that doesn’t clump), MAC eyeliner, and my Aveda Personal Blend lotion of the month.
Who are your beauty icons? Rachel Bilson and Camilla Belle for their style, and Mariska Hargitay for everything else.
