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.
Hello! My name is Jessica Lynne (@lynne_bias) and I live in New York City. I co-edit ARTS.BLACK, a journal for Black art critics, and I’m also the Manager of Development and Communications at Recess, an arts organization with sites in Soho and Brooklyn. Working in the arts inspires me to play with color and form and texture in ways that are exciting. I appreciate bold statements, and also feel right at home with a more minimalist, uniformed aesthetic, gravitating towards pieces that are multi-functional. Can I wear this to a board meeting and an exhibition opening? I try to approach beauty with a quality, not quantity outlook. This means I’m not necessarily a product junkie, but I will invest in a product and use it for years on end if I love it!
I’ve gotten my daytime and nighttime skin care routines down to a simple science. In the morning, I use Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser because it’s gentle on my skin. Twice a week, I’ll exfoliate with Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel for an extra deep cleanse, and follow with Trader Joe’s Coconut Oil as my go-to moisturizer. Really, I use coconut oil for everything. At night, I’ll use witch hazel to clean the dirt and grime of NYC from my face and follow that up with Trader Joe’s Vitamin E oil as my nighttime moisturizer. Did I mention coconut oil? I don’t know of a better moisturizer for my skin, hair, or face.
The entire Anu Essentials hair care line is absolutely perfect. I use their Nourishing Gel Shampoo, the Down Under Deep Conditioner, and the Luscious Curling Cream. Cantu Tea Tree and Jojoba Hair Oil is another go-to of mine. My hair is very thick and kinky, and until recently, was also colored treated. All of these products do such a good job of keeping my hair well moisturized and protecting my color without harsh ingredients. I’m usually at the salon once a month for a wash and condition–maybe a blowout every now and then. I’ll do the upkeep in between these appointments, but spending time at the salon is actually really relaxing to me, and it’s a great way to talk to my stylists about new colors or cuts I’m looking to experiment with. And I tell myself that I will be more consistent about this, but getting a mani-pedi is such a nice pick-me up. I try to make the time for a monthly session.
I’ve been a MAC girl for a long time. Generally speaking though, my coverage tends to be pretty light. I’ll use the Pro Longwear Pressed Powder in Medium Deep and the Mineralize Concealer in NW 40 together–it does the trick for my skin tone. Then Format is my all-time favorite blush. That one I also use as a bronzer because of its rich color. And I’m obsessed with Glossier’s Boy Brow. For lips, Iman Cosmetics has this Luxury Lipstick in Opal that is quickly becoming my new favorite. I used to shy away from darker lip colors, but this shade is perfect for all seasons, I swear!
–as told to ITG.
