While on a shoot a few weeks back I asked the hair stylist, Edward Lampley, to cut my hair. He gave me bangs. His (somewhat) exact words were, “I want this to look like Stevie Nicks did acid and decided to give herself a haircut.” Too distracted by the memory of her cameo in American Horror Story to process the reference, I responded with, “Sure, do whatever.”

I’ve since thought a lot about it and decided that this is exactly what it would look like if Stevie Nicks did acid and gave herself a haircut. Most days I really like it: I have always felt that bangs add a little mystery, especially if you flop them all down in your direct line of vision so nobody, including yourself, can see where you’re looking. Mystery.

From some angles I feel like the bangs really complement my cheekbones. When I brush the bangs upward and back, the mullet comes out in full-force, which, if you see the glass half full, can look a little like Joan Jett. Or it could look like a haircut one of your mom’s coworkers might have had back in 1993. No matter how I think I’m wearing them, there’s always a quarter-inch strand that got confused and went to the wrong side. Coupled with my neglected dye job, I’m experiencing some weirdness overall. If I stare too long at myself in a mirror, “Landslide' begins to softly play inside my head. I've forgotten how to bang.

As I tried to think of ways to style my bangs nicely for an event, I came to the conclusion that I should just wear a see-through top and that way nobody will really care what’s going on with my hair. I borrowed this insane metallic crochet Azzaro thing from What Goes Around Comes Around. It’s made of actual metal chains weighing in at 5 pounds and is the only way I’ll ever wear a cardigan.

The top’s waistline went nicely with my favorite pair of jeans, which inspired the matte black eye makeup. A solid matte black upper lid is great for parties because it photographs well and makes you look like Priscilla Presley. Mine took three products—a soft black eye pencil to smudge right into the lashes and line my upper waterline. I hate to start my product ramblings with a discontinued eyeliner, but I used Tarte’s Inner Rim Liner in Black, which was so gentle and dark. Try their Amazonian Clay liner instead, or go forth and eBay. I painted my lids into a slightly triangular shape with Maybelline Color Tattoo Leather in Dramatic Black, smudging the edges to soften. This acted as a base to the very dark, very matte, very great Emite Makeup Micronized Eye Shadow in Dams (PSA: good for sensitive eyes).

On my skin is Tom Ford Fire Lust Skin Illuminator, which I was skeptical of at first for its orangey appearance, but now I really love because it gives a warm glow without making you look tanned or bronzed. Then came Tom’s Patchouli Absolu perfume over a generous smearing of Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Neck & Décolleté Cream. It’s one of my more extravagant regular products, but I really love it because it’s the only body moisturizer I’ve used that gives a long-lasting patent, oily sheen without the oily feeling. It also doesn’t leave grease stains on fabric.

My trusty old Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipstick in 014 is how I do nude (see also: forgoing underwear), and I’ve been sealing it with a coat of the waxy salve that is the Balm Dotcom so it stays on longer and my lips stay moisturized.

For the hair I used Pureology Curl Extend—one of those strange pump contraptions that serves a bit of serum alongside a bit of cream. It’s the “swirl' flavor of styling products, making you never have to choose between a smoothing oil and milky softening lotion. It gives just enough weight and shine to dry hair to keep it from looking completely haggard but not take away its sense of free will. I use about four-five pumps. Then, style constantly throughout the night by throwing your hair one way, and then the other—especially when taking photos. It’s bound to look good in at least a few, whereas committing to one style could very well look weird at all angles. Be careful not to snag your sweater.

Yours,

Annie

Annie Kreighbaum photographed by Brayden Olson, wearing Erica Weiner Fibula earrings, Acne jeans, Nars Blush in Exhibit A, Burberry Nail Polish in Stone, Diorskin Star Concealer, and MAC Longwear Waterproof Brow Set. To see Emily Weiss' Holiday Party Look, click here.