The Final Step of My Makeup Process: Body
How to level up your body-care routine
This week is all about body. Just like with your face, a little love and moisturizer make magic. I especially take care to perfect the body for clients headed to special events like red carpet premieres—not only does the extra attention pull a look together, but body care makes them feel great, too. This letter is in two parts: 1. My red carpet favorites for all of your special events, and 2. My favorites for everyday body care, which make me feel like every day is a special event!
Ash Foo shot by Joshua Pestka
Before we dive in, though, thank you to everyone who participated in the WELLinsulated giveaway! I will be contacting the winner via Instagram today. Stay tuned for future giveaways with some of my other favorite brands!
IN THE CHAIR
Behind-the-scenes techniques to enhance your makeup routine
Red Carpet Body Favorites
What I love about the products to follow is that they not only do their respective jobs really well, but they also don’t transfer all over your clothes (a cardinal sin of body makeup). True story: I had a college roommate who was fond of self tanner… so much so that it was constantly all over her clothes, her sheets, and the bathtub. There was practically an orange trail behind her wherever she went. None of my recommendations will do that to you! (Yes, I know exactly what she used, and those products are not on this list.)
This body makeup blurs any imperfections (blemishes or veins) while leaving a subtle glow on your body. I especially use it on legs. It’s a moisturizing balm that feels so good on, and it comes in five shades so you can find your perfect match.
James Reade Body Foundation Wash Off Tan
This quick-dry formula is another go-to for the red carpet. It’s formulated with high-quality skincare-level ingredients so you can even use it on your face! This is the only line of tanning products I’d use on my or a client’s face. Don’t worry about getting a strange orange tone… James nails the perfect non-Oompa Loompa shades in a variety of lovely products. The Wash Off Tan stays put and doesn’t transfer, yet it washes off when you need it to!
Pro tip: Both James Reade and Vita Liberata make a great mitt for easy application. Neither of their products would make your mitt-less palm look crazy dirty like many self tanners can, but you definitely don’t want to get anything on those likely manicured nails.
Chanel Baume Essential Multi-Use Glow Stick
Highlighter isn’t just for face—I apply this handy stick (which can be used on lips, cheeks, and eyes) to collarbones and anywhere else I want to give a subtle glow. It’s a bonus step that levels your whole look way up.
Sunday Riley Fairy Godmother Shimmering Body Oil Gel
This body oil instantly absorbs into skin, mess free. It’s full of the loveliest ingredients (CoQ 10, vitamin C, and gardenia extract) plus a fine gold glitter that leaves your body luminous without looking like you are in a Dance Mom’s-style dance competition. It’s basically a Hawaiian vacation in a bottle.
From one of my favorite shoots with Peter Rosa
My Daily Body Care
While you don’t need to think about body makeup every day, upping your daily body-care ritual can encourage both a luscious, full-body glow and relaxation—especially when done at night. Below are my favorite everyday heroes and how to use them.
Dry brushing is my favorite way to exfoliate. While I prefer to do most of my body care at night as a wind down, I dry brush first thing in the morning—it’s a great way to awaken the senses, especially when I have a really early call time. I do it first thing, and it absolutely helps to wake me up before showering.
The steps are simple:
Select a dry brush. You want one made with a stiffer plant fiber like sisal. Additionally, if you’re like me and don’t have the best shoulder flexibility, pick one with a long handle for those hard-to-reach places like your back.
To help your lymphatic system drain excess fluids, always brush towards your heart! I love to start with my legs although you could start top down if you wish. Use quick, light brush strokes to stimulate your lymphatic system (it feels amazing, like whole body goosebumps good) while you remove a layer of dead skin (I love multitasking). After finishing up legs, make sure to get your arms, neck, and back using the same quick, light strokes towards your heart. Finish up with your stomach. This is the only body part that has its own rules—instead of brushing toward the heart, the stomach is done using circular motions. Go clockwise to stimulate digestion.
Now that you’ve successfully brushed your bod, jump in the shower to remove any additional loosened dead skin! Bonus if you use an exfoliating body wash like the Aevi Awakening Hand & Body Wash. It smells like frankincense and eucalyptus, which transforms your shower into a spa. Plus, it has earth-friendly jojoba beads for gentle exfoliation.
Moisturize. Consider a body oil, like the two below, for post-shower bliss. While a cream may seem standard, I love oil for the deeply conditioning, moisture-sealing properties post shower.
Retrouvé Baume Ultime Body Oil
The most luxe body oil ever is the Retrouvé. It’s a divine golden elixir filled with vitamins C and E plus ceramides and nourishing avocado oil. It’s never greasy and absorbs super quickly. Spendy, but like all the Retrouvé products, it contains the best ingredients on the market.
Mother’s Special Blend Skin Toning Oil
I covered myself in this oil throughout my pregnancy and developed zero stretch marks. It’s a winner. It’s not expensive, is deeply hydrating, smells amazing, and has no harmful chemicals or preservatives, so it’s safe for the most sensitive skin. It’s a mix of sweet almond oil, coconut oil, and cocoa butter.
Henné Organics Luxury Hand Cream
I apply this hand cream to my hands and feet every evening. It comes in two fragrances, both of which I enjoy: One is a fresh citrus I wear in the winter as a pick-me-up, then in spring/summer I swap to the Blomma (Swedish for “in bloom”), which is a blend of twinflower, rose, and geranium.
I know we talked about lips last week, but I consider this lip mask part of my nightly body-care ritual. I apply a thick layer of this orangey-yellow mask and wear it overnight! The website says not to do this as the color may stain your pillowcase, but I say do it—simply select a pillowcase you don’t care too much about. Then, wake up with “pillowy” well-hydrated lips.
FROM THE KIT
The products and trends worth knowing about now
Orlane Aqua Svelt Tightening Shower Care + Orlane S.O.S Minceur Slimming Cream
This duo is a great combo to help a girl out with leg water retention. Start out with the scrub in the shower, then follow up with the cream after you’re out. It smells so fresh and is formulated with algae and essential oils to detox and smooth those legs.
PHONE A FRIEND
Insight and beauty inspiration from my favorite people in the industry
This week, I chose two ladies I love who are also amazing personal trainers: Catch Katie, a professional ballerina at American Ballet Theater (ABT) for private training sessions IRL in NYC or online (P.S. her workouts have been featured in GOOP), and train with Brittni, a model and certified Pilates instructor at New York Pilates (my favorite Pilates studio) or DM her on Instagram for private and semi-private classes which rock.
Katie Boren, Ballerina at ABT and personal trainer (@katieboren1)
Q: Who is your beauty inspiration?
Christine Shevchenko (principal at ABT).
Q: What are your desert island products?
Q: Favorite look?
Natural—as a dancer I have to wear heavy makeup on stage, so for my day-to-day I like having very minimal makeup on my face.
Q: Ideal workout and why?
One of mine (lol). As a ballerina and personal trainer, I create workouts that are tailored to cross-training for dancers. They incorporate strength training, Pilates-inspired exercises, exercises that I’ve used throughout my career, and HIIT for the stamina we need to dance three-act ballets.
Q: Favorite body product?
Method Men Body Wash. Might sound weird but they smell so good!
Brittni Tucker, Model and Pilates Instructor, (@brittnitucker)
Q: Who is your beauty inspiration?
Hailey Bieber—I just love how natural and simple her looks have been lately. Very effortless and timeless.
Q: What are your desert island products?
Q: Favorite look?
Tank top, boyfriend jeans, and an oversized plaid shirt with little booties.
Q: Ideal workout and why?
Pilates—not just because I actually teach it, but also because it is honestly the best workout for you at any point in your life. It helps strengthen your core, get in tune with your whole body, and helps you through all periods of life.
Q: Favorite body product?
The Osea body oil is the BEST! Highly recommend it to everybody!