“I started doing this look a really long time ago, inspired by things like silent movies and dolls. It was what I was drawn to, aesthetically, and it spoke to me. I think it suited me better than a lot of other makeup did. I used to wear MAC Veruschka on my lips, but then MAC discontinued it. I told them I would do a personal order and that they had to make it for me. [Laughs] But apparently the smallest order they could produce was 400,000 or something, so they said, 'We can fix this' and gave me a tutorial. It was a whole drama. They sent me a lot of colors to try to replace it, but now I use a lip pencil— MAC Nightmoth.

For my cheeks, I use a lipstick. I don’t know what color it is, but it’s one of the shades they thought might replace the Veruschka. It lasts forever because I only use a little bit. I dab it on and then rub it in with my fingers... Well, first I moisturize with Nivea, then I put T. LeClerc foundation on, and then I put the dots on my cheeks. I dust T. LeClerc powder on top of everything. I like T. LeClerc because I like that metal case it comes in. Over time, I'd say my lips have gotten darker and the whole thing has gotten bolder.”

I dye my hair with henna, and I do it myself. It’s really vibrant now because I did it two days ago for Fashion Week. It fades, so I have to re-do it every four weeks.”

—as told to ITG

Lynn Yaeger photographed by Mackenzie Wagoner at Prabal Gurung Spring 2014 in New York on September 7, 2013.