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 Alexandra Sacks (@alisacks) and I was born, raised, and still live in Los Angeles. Currently I’m working as a marketing coordinator for Variety. Most days are spent writing, designing, sending email blasts, and creating banner ads. When I’m not working, you can find me on my couch wearing a face mask, drinking wine, and watching Netflix with my dogs. I often look like an insane person wearing both Petitfee Black Pearl and Gold Hydrogel Eye Patches at once. Peel-offs like Belif and Boscia Black Luminizing Mask are great, too—I like to enjoy having it on and enjoy taking it off. And if my skin is stressed, there is absolutely nothing that calms it down faster than SK-II's sheet mask.
I first got into skincare and beauty my freshman year of college when I got road rash on my face. For those unfamiliar, it’s when you get gravel stuck in your skin. It’s most common among bikers, but I got mine from falling off a wall at a New Year’s Eve party. That’s when I started to really look into what could cover it up and protect it from getting worse. I’ve stopped caring about covering the scar, but my love of skincare really stuck. In the morning, I wash my face with Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser or Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash, which I also use as a body wash when my skin is really sensitive. After that I've been using Belif's Problem Solution Toner, Tatcha's Essence, whichever serum feels right that day, and then a moisturizer. I love to have a bunch of different ones to choose from. Right now, the rotation includes Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion—a product that I got from my mom at a pretty young age—Belif Aqua Bomb, or Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream. I recently invested in the giant size because the the product is incredible, but mostly because the rose gold container is stunning. I’m incredibly pale, so I finish off everything with Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen to protect against the day.
The best thing in the world is my Makeup Eraser. I no longer spend money on makeup remover wipes only to feel greasy, and it even gets off my mascara. I use it every night before washing my face. If you don’t have one, buy one. You’ll thank me later. At night, after I take off my makeup, I'll use Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil followed by Good Genes. I sleep with a fan blowing at me no matter what season it is, so after moisturizer, I put on Tatcha Gold Camellia Beauty Oil to lock in moisture, and I finish it all off with the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, which I believe changes lives. It’s cut my Carmex obsession down since I don’t need to use it as much, but I still never leave a drugstore without a new tube. I leave a trail of lost Carmex tubes behind me everywhere I go.
Because I’m so bad at it, my makeup routine is pretty quick and easy—but that doesn't mean I don't hoard makeup. I start with either Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow or Natura Bisse The Cure Sheer Oil-Free Fluid. A friend recommended the Natura Bisse and told me I'd look 20 years younger with it. I was 24 at the time, and I’m not sure it made me look four, but I really love the way it makes me look. Nars' Soft Matte Concealer in Vanilla is my newest purchase and it’s the best spot concealer—a little goes an incredibly long way. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly goes under my eyes to brighten and Vanilla goes everywhere else on my face to cover up large red spots when they appear. I use Glossier Stretch Concealer in Light under my eyes when I’ve had a pretty good night’s sleep and don’t need too much help. For days when I need more help, Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Light is so good. It never creases!
Highlighter is a daily thing. I’m always sweaty and I feel like highlighter makes it look more intentional. I adore Pat McGrath's Skin Fetish in Nude. I use every part of that set—the pigment and stick highlighter alone or together and the balm works perfectly for a glossy eye. What I’m currently using the most is Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Rose Quartz [ed. note: discontinued]. If you're turned off by traditional gold highlighters, it's the perfect color. If I put anything on my eyes, it’s RMS Living Luminizer on the inner corners and maybe a little bit on the lid. The last step is always Trish McEvoy mascara in either High Volume or Lash Curling. This is my Holy Grail, desert island product, and I will not use anything else. It never smudges or transfers, and it comes off in tubes with warm water.
Besides highlighter, lipstick is my favorite makeup. I own every Kylie Lip Kit. No, I’m not kidding. I love having a matching liquid lip and liner, and this formula stays on me forever. My most used are Kristen, Koko, Maliboo, 22, Smile, and Leo. When I don’t use liquid lipstick, I love Charlotte Tilbury. Kim KW with Iconic Nude Liner underneath is my favorite nude lip. For something more fun, I love Bite Beauty's Creme Deluxe 005 Lavender Lipstick. I’m running low and it was limited-edition, so let me know if you have any replacement suggestions. The heartbreak when it's done would be too much."
—as told to ITG
