The #ITGTopShelfie interview series focuses on the beauty routines of Into The Gloss' lovely, accomplished, and loyal community of readers. Submit your own on Instagram—post your Top Shelfie (tag us @intothegloss!) and include the hashtag #ITGTopShelfie for a chance to be featured on ITG.
"Hi! I'm Katie O'Keefe (@whatdeesays). I live in Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, and I'm a Senior Art Director at Ogilvy and Mather, the advertising agency. Being an art director is a little bit like being an actor, but instead of learning how to ride a horse or do ballet for a role, I learn the ins and outs of the airline or coffee industries. It's great, and I constantly get to learn new things.
My job involves a lot—graphic design, video shoots, client presentations—so I'm constantly working on different projects. But I have a ritual—if I have a big meeting, or I'm going on a shoot, I always get a manicure in Essie Really Red. They're my power nails, and when I look down at them, I feel more confident. I think that's the point of beauty. If it can make you feel more powerful or more relaxed or happier, then it's working. I know that sounds simple, but there are so many bummer things in life...sweaty commutes, cleaning the cat box, period cramps. Beauty should be the opposite.
When I was about 22, I discovered YouTube makeup tutorials. It started with Pixiwoo and now I subscribe to probably 25 different women. Oh my God, I love makeup. My own routine starts with applying Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in the center of my face, blended out with a Beautyblender. I can't find a better concealer than the Maybelline. I've tried Chanel, Nars, everything, and this one can't be beat. My blush is Tarte Amazonian Clay in Exposed. It gives such a natural, pretty flush, and it lasts all day.
Putting on my eye makeup in the morning is like a mini art project, and I always do something a little different. The one thing I always wear is eyeliner. I love to do a cat eye when my hands are feeling steady, but my minimum is a little black liner smudged into my lashes. It makes such a difference in defining my eyes and making my lashes thicker. Lately, I love the Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Perversion, and the Revlon Colorstay Skinny Liner in Mahogany. Tom Ford's Eye Quad in Nude Dip is a life changer, but the other best palette is Too Faced Natural Eyes. I'll go all out with it at night. I don't like wearing lipstick because I don't want to worry about smearing or reapplying, but it's fun to see how many eyeshadows I can layer together. Wayne Goss makes the best eye brushes—so soft, such pleasures to use.
My skincare routine is pretty chill. I don't wash my face in the morning. I know! I know, but I don't want to strip it. I just splash with water. Once a week I'll use Kate Somerville's Exfolikate, which I massage into my face really well before rinsing. I always follow up with a moisturizer with sunscreen—mine is Avène Redness Relief Day Cream SPF 25. At night, I spend a lot more time on my skin. I like to start with an oil cleanser like the Nude Perfect Cleanse Nourishing Oil. Ever since I watched Lisa Eldridge's face massage video, I've been incorporating massage into my cleanses. After an oil cleanse, I follow up with Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. That is my desert island product. It's really gentle, but removes all your makeup.
I'm totally late on the vitamin A train, but I'm really into the ROC Deep Wrinkle Serum. My skin has been so luminous and clear since I started using it. My night moisturizer depends on how my skin feels, but since it's summer, I might use the Caudalie VinoSource Moisturizing Sorbet. Or sometimes I just douse myself in the Glossier Soothing Face Mist—I love that it has glycerin.
To unwind, I work out at Bar Method. It's the absolute best mood booster, and I love watching my body get stronger. Otherwise, my friends and I have a weekly ritual. Everyone comes over to my house, and we order nachos, drink wine and turn on The Bachelor. We half hate-watch and half obsess over it. The best part is having a standing date for us to all catch up on each other's lives. That's especially nice, when your friends get older and busier."
—as told to ITG
