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.
"Hey guys! My name is Brittany Wilson (@britannwilson) and I live in Los Angeles. I just moved here to pursue a career in film and television. I generally find job titles to be reductive–I’m more interested to know what turns people on and what inspires them. Right now, I’m into creating content that explores the 'other' gaze–the 'female' or 'queer' gaze. Recently, I produced a film called The Ring Thing that is screening at OutFest in L.A. in July, and I also wrote and directed a short film for the Glamour x Girl Gaze #NewView film competition.
The whole idea of this 'female gaze' has forced me to closely examine the relationship I have with my beauty routine and the role that it plays in my life. We are complex and we should be able to express our most authentic selves however we feel most comfortable! Whether that's with a face full of contour or no makeup at all. Personally, I think it’s important to invest in a great skincare regimen. I would much rather spend money on an amazing and effective product than an expensive piece of clothing. When you have a fresh glow going on everything else can be extra! Eyelash curlers were the thing that opened up my fascination and curiosity for all things beauty. I likened them to some kind of medieval torture device–I now own about four. My favorite is Shu Uemura.
Almost every day, I wash my hair with whatever sulfate-free shampoo I have on hand, finger brush, and move on with the rest of my routine. When I get out of the shower I slather Malin and Goetz Vitamin B5 Body Moisturizer from toe to neck. It’s incredibly moisturizing and melts right into your skin without any slick residue, and the light bergamot scent is lovely. Then I put on an obnoxiously bright pink silk robe to start my morning ritual. I relish in it—there’s something meditative and calming about a routine.
Next up is my face. I always thought face washes were created equal until I met the Derm Institute Cellular Brightening Self-Foaming Cleanser–a mouthful, I know. I call it my little face baptism. Then I put on whatever serum my skin is craving, rotating between Glossier Super Pure, Vintner’s Daughter, and Derm Institute Rejuvenating Serum. At night, I opt for Resurface by Shani Darden, a retinol. I wanted to start incorporating retinol into my routine but was afraid it would be irritating to my sensitive skin, and this stuff is not. I use it about three times a week and it’s great. It keeps my skin nice and smooth. I follow that up with a combination of Murad Essential-C Moisturizer with SPF 30 and Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream. The SPF protects and the cream preps my skin nicely for makeup.
When it comes to foundation, I’m extremely picky. I don’t want anything that even remotely settles into fine lines–I want it to be absolutely undetectable! I’ve tried a TON and the only ones I’ve repurchased are Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation and Kevyn Aucoin Etherealist Foundation. I always mix with a drop of Rodin Face Oil to keep it dewy, then I put on layers and layers of Benefit Roller Lash and grab my Dior Lip Glow–it’s the one product I would never leave the house without. I’ve probably repurchased it twenty times over the years.
After a long day of work, I love throwing on a face mask and watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills–Erika Jayne is a babe. If I want to wake up with baby butt skin, I’ll do the Derm Institute Anti-Oxidant Hydration Gel Masque overnight. I use half a packet and put the other half in the fridge so I can get two uses out of it. For occasions when I know I’ll be wearing more makeup, I opt for the Natura Bisse Diamond Ice-Lift because it makes your skin tight and right.
Once I met a gorgeous vampire of a woman in her 80s who had amazing skin. She told me her secret was to always wear big sunglasses. I immediately went out and spent a silly amount of money on Céline Cat-Eye shades–back when they were still selling full price at Intermix. I haven’t met a pair of sunglasses I didn’t lose within three months, so apparently, I blacked out when I handed them my credit card and blamed the purchase on my recent break-up. But I’ve been wearing them for two years now, so I feel very justified. I’m all about a good beauty investment."
–as told to ITG
