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 there—I’m Melissa Karl (@melissarkarl) and I’m the Director of Ecommerce Operations at Stone & Strand, an online jewelry retailer. Not for nothing, I’m also Emily Ferber’s roommate. (I’m not saying I moved in with her because I knew she had a lot of beauty products, but I’m also not not saying that. JK we met on Craigslist.) Back to my day job, we curate a collection of designer pieces and have our own private label focused on really chic but really affordable jewelry. I do all of the buying and merchandising for the site, and I work very closely on our private label from design to production. Previously I worked as an accessories editor at Interview and Lucky magazines—and with a lot of cool people, from stylists to makeup artists. Working in magazines lets you see firsthand how creative you can be with beauty, even if your focus is on jewelry or accessories. I've always been into beauty from that perspective, but it's also not something I think that much about. I just do whatever feels right.
My main skincare focus is making sure I’m not breaking out like a lunatic. I have super oily skin, so I always cleanse twice a day—but with different cleansers morning and night. In the mornings, I shower and use the Sisley Gentle Cleansing Gel with Tropical Resins. It’s super light so it doesn’t feel like I’m rubbing my face off, but it’s still a serious cleanse because I like to start the day with fresh skin. Then at night I take my makeup off with a Simple Miscellar Wipe and cleanse with the Skinceuticals Clarifying Cleanser. It has little exfoliating beads, but it’s not too aggressive. I never want my face to be red after I wash it.
Before I put on my makeup in the morning, I moisturize twice—right after wash my face while I’m choosing my outfit and then right before I do my makeup. Glossier Priming Moisturizer is the best for this—it says it’s buildable and that is correct. It's perfect for daytime. At night, I'm experimenting a little. They say oil is good to fight oil, and Emily’s been on my case to start moisturizing with an oil for years. I finally bit the bullet and got Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, but I’m not totally sold. I’m giving it a fair shot—I know my skin is difficult and there’s not going to be a magic bullet. Love the smell though. And three or four drops really is enough for your whole face. On top of that, I’ll use the Tata Harper Clarifying Moisturizer. If I have a really bad zit or a particular problem area, I like the Mario Badescu Spot Treatment.
I only mask if it’s fast. I’ll put on the Goop Exfoliating Instant Facial, leave it on for two minutes, brush my teeth and take out my contacts, and then wash it off. You really feel that one.
My daily makeup takes me about 10 minutes in the morning. To even my skintone, I use Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Bisque. I've used it forever and I don’t know anything different. It also has SPF 20, so I’m covered during my walk to work. For spots, I conceal with Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage that I apply with a little brush like a painter. Then I set it with Laura Mercier Mineral Powder. The rest of my face is done up with Glossier Cloud Paint in Haze, Glossier Haloscope in Quartz, Boy Brow in Brown (don’t hate me, I live with a Glossier employee), a really old, really tiny tube of Laura Mercier Metallic Cream Eye Color in Platinum [ed. note: discontinued], and Diorshow Mascara.
On Fridays, I like to do more of a look. Usually on my eyes because I have MASSIVE eyelids—there's a lot of real estate to play with. ITG did a red eyeshadow story like a year ago and I was so inspired. Red is my go-to right now, but the Chanel ads with Kristen Stewart in the blue shadow has got me itching for change... For the red look, I love the Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in In A Firenze. I just dot some one and tap it on my lid and below my eye. It’s super sparkly, but doesn’t move at all. I’ll also play around with the Rituel de Fille Eye Soot in Viscera and Serpent de Mer. The pigment is just insane and it works well as a liner too. You don’t need to have technique with it either—I have no interest in spending 50 hours on making my makeup perfect. If you mess up a little, you just have to make sure the other eye matches.
Right now my haircut is very deconstructed and casual, I’ve cut my hair off, I’ve dyed it dark—none of it really scares me. I like fancy shampoos. My favorite is the Kerastase color line, but as long as it smells good, I don’t really care. My hair is generally soft on its own so I could use what they have at SoulCycle every day and it wouldn’t really matter. Is that bragging? Maybe, but you gotta take your breaks where you can get ‘em. Oh, also I don’t blow-dry my hair. That might be part of why it feels so nice.
My nails are always short and always painted. Usually blue. (This is my hand.) I'm not particular about any specific blues or brands...except for base and top coat. Always use Smith & Cult Base and Top Coat. It's the only thing that keeps nails shiny and chip-free for a full week.
One thing—I’m very concerned about my neck. Nothing is wrong with it…yet. But I’m very wary that It’ll show signs of aging so I do a LOT of neck moisturizing. We keep a communal jar of Sisley Bust Cream in the living room of all places and make sure to grease up the décolletage nightly. Pairs well with an episode of the Real Housewives of New York and a glass of Sancerre."
—as told to ITG
