I always knew I’d be some form of a writer/editor (I suspect I was born without the left side of my brain), but it was probably around the time I got to high school and started thinking seriously about my career that I realized magazines were where I wanted to be. Like most people outside the industry, I had no idea that being a beauty editor was a thing and I probably wouldn’t have considered myself qualified even if I did. One of my best beauty memories is going over to my friend Gaby’s house before parties or dances and having her give me a smoky eye. At 16, she had more makeup than I probably have now…and I have a storage closet full. So I kind of credit her with my first introduction to beauty and getting the ball rolling. Then in college, I majored in English and Creative Writing and worked reception at an Aveda salon for three years, so that was when I really thought like, okay, I love writing and I also love this world of hair and makeup and products and how can I combine it all?
I applied to a ton of magazine internships in college, but the process was competitive and I was in Ohio, which wasn’t the most convenient, so I ended up doing an internship under the head writers at David Letterman, which felt like the closest thing in terms of helpful experience. I landed the Lucky internship right after I had graduated and moved to New York. I paid for a course credit I didn’t need in order to satisfy the Condé Nast requirement—I was just so thrilled to be there and had admired [former Lucky beauty director] Jean Godrey-June’s writing for years.
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My first full-time role was as a beauty assistant at Allure magazine. I don’t think there’s any way to prepare for your first real job—you’re not going to understand what’s going on for a while or have the answers and it’s just sink or swim, especially in this industry. And Allure is obviously the major leagues when it comes to beauty, so it was such an education. I handled the Best of Beauty Awards two years in a row, which is both amazing and totally panic attack-inducing. The team tests around 60,000 products over the course of a few months and it was my responsibility to track and distribute all those products, while also doing typical administrative assistant duties and writing for the magazine and website. I feel so grateful to have learned from the best there—Linda Wells and the editors taught me everything I know about beauty writing and gave me bylines on feature stories I would have never dreamed of getting to write so early in my career, so I couldn’t have asked for a better first job.
In terms of advice, I think such an important part of being an assistant (and an intern) is learning to read the temperature of your boss and understand when it’s an appropriate time to ask for help versus when to go figure things out on your own. You’re there first and foremost to make your boss’ job flow more smoothly and minimize stress—no task is too small. If you can do that and you’re also thrilled to get coffee and be the last one in the office, it all pays off.
Right now, I’m senior digital beauty editor at Harper’s Bazaar. Our digital team is small—there’s just 7 of us—and we put up 20+ pieces of content a day, so we’re all pretty glued to our phones and computers from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep. I oversee and write all beauty/health content on the site, from quick news posts on the latest MAC collaboration or celebrity haircut to regular columns and longer essays. Most days, I have one or two market events, usually one in the morning and one in the evening, to learn about new product launches or do a celebrity/model interview. Then I’m in the office writing, doing photo research and looking out for new brands, trends and artists. Fashion month is crazy for us, but I always look forward to it. I cover backstage beauty in New York and Paris, which involves interviewing the hair and makeup teams and reporting the looks in real time, then going through hundreds of shows once it’s all over and breaking down the trends to know. The fun challenge of it is figuring out the big picture story that the fashion and beauty is telling each season. I’m much more interested in what beauty says about the current cultural moment than how to draw the straightest cat-eye.
Transitioning from print to digital a little over a year ago was scary initially, but I’ve totally embraced the pace now. It’d be hard not to be curious and inspired when there’s always a Next Big Thing, whether it’s Snapchat or Periscope, and you have to just jump on it and adapt or get left behind. It’s going to be so interesting to see the ways in which the digital sphere and our role as editors in it evolves over the next few years.
ON SKINCARE
I’m all about my skin. I get most excited about new treatments, innovations and products in the skin care category, so my routine is constantly changing—I’ll try just about anything! I’m not picky with cleansers—anything simple and gentle works for me. I tend to go with Olay Active Botanicals Refreshing Gel Cleanser or Olay Regenerist Luminous Brightening Cleanser. For day, I usually put on an eye cream with SPF, like Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Eye or Ole Henrikson Total Truth Eye Crème, since I’ve been noticing sun damage under my eyes. If I’m in a rush, I love Eve Lom Radiance Lift Cream because it sinks in really quickly and I can put my makeup on right away. If I have more time, I’ll use a nice oil like Aerin Rose Oil or Nude Progenius Omega Treatment Rescue Oil.
I’m cursed with pale, sensitive skin and really coarse, dark hair so I’m especially prone to razor bumps. I use Clearasil 5-in-1 Acne Pads or VMV Aftershave Solution all over after shaving and then combat the drying effects of that with lots of coconut or rose oil. Kenzoki Sensual Bare Body Cream is a great rich cream I’ll be using a lot this winter.
When I go to bed, I use Klorane or Simple Makeup Removing Wipes and then follow that up with cleanser. Then I try to do a different mask every night—I alternate between Dr. Brandt Oxygen Facial (the brand also has a great new 3D Filler Mask launching soon that I’m loving), Caudalie Glycolic Mask and whatever sheet masks I happen to have around (I go through them so quickly; Leaders has really good ones). Then depending on how tired I am, I’ll just spray a Caudalie Elixir Mist or Tatcha Dewy Hydrating Mist or I’ll do eye cream (I like Shiseido Bio Performance Glow Revival Eye Treatment) and moisturizer (lately, I alternate between La Prairie Rapid Response Booster followed by La Prairie Luxe Sheer cream, Korres Black Pine Firming Night Oil and Dior Prestige La Crème).
My skin is always pretty dry, but especially so in the winter; by January, I’m always in need of a major resurfacing, brightening treatment. Once the weather starts getting cold, I start using heavier creams in the morning and at night and doing more moisturizing/hydrating masks than acid peels/detoxifying masks. And I always keep hand cream in my bag and at my desk and force myself to apply it often. I love facials and wish I made time to get them more—I get one every two months usually. The most pampering, luxurious ones are at the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa at the Plaza and La Prairie Spa at the Ritz-Carlton, but I like Skin Laundry and Heyday in NYC for quickies.
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ON MAKE-UP
Applying make-up isn’t something that came naturally to me. I still can’t do YouTube vlogger level contouring or use liquid liner to save my life (I’m getting better at the felt tip pens, but those pots of ink? Forget it), but I’ve got my routine down and usually prefer to do my own makeup for events—I find it very calming. I know all the techniques and tricks, but most days I just want to do the minimal to look presentable.
I mostly play around with colour trends when I’m going out with girlfriends, but I don’t go too far out of my comfort zone. Maybe purple or navy eyeliner, sparkly metallic shadow and lately I’m trying out more dark purply-red lipsticks. But I wish I could pull off lipstick like Rihanna—she looks so ridiculously cool every single day. My go-tos when I want to look my best are always brown-and-gold smoky eyes and a dusty rose or sheer berry lipstick.
For day, I use a little Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 all over, then I conceal under my eyes. I’m constantly on the hunt for the best under eye concealer, but right now I love BareMinerals Serum Concealer (I pretty much love anything BareMinerals). Then I shade my cheekbones lightly with Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronzer and brush Tom Ford Cream Cheek Colour in Pink Sand out from the apples. Black pencil in the waterline, mascara (NARS Audacious and Covergirl Full Lash Bloom are current favourites) and lip balm and I’m good to go. At work, I’ll put on a bunch of different lip glosses and lipsticks throughout the day. I probably reapply something on my lips every 30 minutes. For night, I’ll do either shimmery shadow (Giorgio Armani Eye Tint in Gold Copper; NARS ‘Stud’) or a berry lip (L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Le Matte Pen in Matte-r of Fact; Honest Beauty Truly Kissable Lip Crayon in Mulberry Kiss).
ON NAILS
Before I lived in New York, I always did them myself, but now I’m spoiled because it’s so affordable here. I get a weekly manicure and a pedicure every two weeks, usually just at my neighbourhood salon. If I really want to treat myself, then I go to Tenoverten (I worked there when I first moved to NYC, so it’ll always hold a soft spot). RGB, Lauren B. and Smith & Cult have great shades and formulas, but my go-tos are Essie ‘Waltz’ for nails and ‘Wicked’ for toes.
ON HAIR
For the most part, I wash it every day, but I’m fine to skip a day, especially now that I have bangs and can just wash those in the sink when I wake up. But I don’t feel totally clean unless I shower and shampoo every morning. I alternate between Clear Hair & Scalp shampoo/conditioner and L’Oréal Paris Nutri-Gloss High Shine shampoo/conditioner. In my dream world, I’d have a lifetime supply of Davines Oi, which is the best-smelling stuff on earth. I don’t put anything on my hair when I get out of the shower. I’m super low-maintenance about my hair. I usually twist it into a low, loose bun and let it air-dry, then spray Oribe Dry Texturizing Mist through. It’s obnoxious to say this, but since I don’t colour my hair or use hot tools too often, my hair is in pretty good shape…winter doesn’t really affect it. If it’s biting, windy cold and my ends are getting dry, I’ll do a light-hydrating mask, but heavy masks and oils tend to weigh it down.
I can never pass up a cut from Jen Atkin or Mara Roszak when they’re in town from LA. In New York, I go to Matt Fugate at Sally Hershberger. He gave me bangs recently and is a magician with a razor. The best part about bangs is they give you a look and make it look like you’ve put effort in even when your hair is in a messy ponytail. I usually loosely braid my hair or put it in a low, looped bun, let it set for 30 minutes to an hour, then take it out and mess it up with my fingers and spray texturizer. That’s my go-to. If I have a big event, I’ll use a wand for soft, neater waves or I’ll get a professional blowout and ask for tons of volume, then put it in a ponytail when I leave—it looks really casual and like you just threw your hair up, but oh, it just happens to be full and perfect.
Like all my haircut decisions, getting bangs was so spontaneous. I can never pre-book an appointment—it’s always like life-or-death, I need to do this thing right now before I change my mind. But bangs are having such a moment in fashion and some many celebrities have gotten them in the last month or two and everyone looks so good with them, so I figured I had to try. They’re definitely work, though, and they look insane when I wake up. I get a trim every two-three weeks.
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ON NEW LAUNCHES
I’m really excited about Peter Thomas Roth Invisible Acne Dots—they’re these salicylic acid stickers that clear up spots overnight. I use them any time I sense a breakout coming or have any little inflamed spots forming—they’re so much better than drying lotions or traditional acne creams. & Other Stories beauty line is really impressive for the price point—the body scrubs are incredible (Floral Memento is my favourite scent) and the candles make great gifts. The NARS x Steven Klein collection for holiday is Goth and sparkly and comes in the coolest packaging ever. I’m obsessed with the bronze eyeshadow called ‘Stud.’ Wander Beauty, model Lindsay Ellingson’s line, has really great cream shadows and this sheer red lip gel that’s the perfect hybrid of tinted balm and lipstick. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo is a game changer too. There aren’t too many products I FREAK OUT about, but this was one. It doesn’t just soak up oil and get rid of the smell; it literally cleans your hair. I used it after a sweat-drenched Soul-Cycle class and I’m not exaggerating, it was the best my hair has ever looked; shiny, bouncy and fresh. People probably think they’re paying me, but it’s just so good.
ON HEALTH & WELLBEING
I can’t remember the last time I totally switched off—the truth is, if I’m awake, I’m glued to my phone and checking my email every 15 minutes just out of habit. Luckily, the Bazaar.com team is great and if there’s urgent, breaking news, there is always someone around to write it up or get it on social. And I really love what I do. Work is my #1 priority and when things get overwhelming, I try to step back and remind myself how lucky I am. It’s annoyingly cheesy, but true. I also drink a lot of wine. That helps.
I grew up in Los Angeles and it’s so much easier to be active there—I was a competitive equestrian, ran track and cross-country, hiked most weekends—so I miss that a lot and I’d take the outdoors over a trendy class any day. That being said, I’m obsessed with spinning. Monster Cycle in SoHo is my favourite. It’s this dark basement studio with huge TV screens that play music videos and all the instructors are covered in tattoos and piercings. It’s badass.
This interview has been edited and condensed. The Lifestyle Edit’s Beauty Moments series puts a focus on the lives and beauty routines of women in the fashion, beauty and creative industry. Alex was shot at Hearst HQ in New York by Naomi Mdudu.
This is one hip, beautiful and honest lady.
She is indeed. Thanks for your comment Stephanie!