"I was 14 when I started modeling. I was in LA, and I wasn’t really aspiring to be a model but Lily, my sister, was doing a shoot and one of the girls dropped out, and they were like, ‘Oh, what about Ruby Aldridge?’ And I was like, ‘What about me? OK.’ I showed up at the shoot, and then it was in a magazine. So my first job was with my sister, that’s kind of how my career started. My band has been going on for years now, but in the beginning, it was really just like three people who didn’t even know each other and wanted to make music in a practice space. But now it’s kind of developed into this thing, and I’m kind of—well, I love it. I’m really proud of it. And now I’m fresh on the DJ scene. [Laughs] For years I had this idea that I would never DJ, I don’t know why. I just never thought I would do that. Even though I literally love nothing more than hanging out in my apartment and listening to music with friends. But a friend asked me to DJ something and I was like, ‘You know what? Yes. I’d love to.’ And then I went and did it and I had so much fun.
I’ve literally created my entire beauty routine in the last week. I have all my friends to thank—we’ve been on a mission, there are group chats, there are a lot of people figuring things out for this After Dark special. I revamped my lifestyle. I was definitely in need of a routine. So I went and got a facial last week at Rescue Spa, which is the best place in the city to get a facial. It’s a little expensive because it’s a little fancy, but it’s basically heaven. Paloma Elsesser referred me there, actually. Speaking of Paloma, I use Body Hero, and every time I use it in my shower I feel like Paloma. I’m like, ‘Ohh yeah…I’m a freaking icon.’ She’s a star.
Anyway, they gave me a sample of this Biologique Recherche Crème Contour Yeux et Lèvres Biofixine, and it’s awesome. I’m into their moisturizer, too. It’s hard for me to find a moisturizer I love, but I got this Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream at oo35mm in Chinatown and it’s soothing, but not greasy. It’s just nice. I also really love the Glossier Priming Moisturizer. I always thought I was like a combination skin person, but my skin is super dry and super sensitive lately, so this moisturizer has been great. Then I got this Nature’s Leaf Rosehip Oil on Amazon. I did a lot of research on what made the most sense for my skin, and I’m frickin’ loving it. And this—I had a pimple a few days ago and I was freaking out. I really didn’t want to touch it. And somebody recommended the CosRx Patches and it has been greatly reduced. Like, this thing was not right. It was not. I slept with one on and then walked around with it on all day. People were definitely like, ‘What’s that clear disk on your face?’ And I was like, ‘Shhh.’ But they really do work!
One of my favorite products for makeup is Pat McGrath’s eyeliner [liquid pen] that’s double-sided. I was going manic panic this morning looking for this eyeliner because I realized mine was dead—it’s just done. I DM’d Pat McGrath about it, like, ‘Pat McGrath! My girl! Can I get this eyeliner!’ And she’s like the busiest, most famous makeup artist in the world. And she responded! She was so kind—I mean, I’ve worked with her before—but she was like , ‘Of course darling, what do you need?’ And I was like, ‘You are a legend.’ So if I’m going out, I’ll use concealer—I like the one from RMS Beauty. It’s just really nice. It’s super light coverage, but still gets the job done. If I’m not doing an eyeliner thing, it’ll just be red lipstick. But Classic Chapstick is my favorite—cherry flavor. Ane I love Glossier Cloud Paint in Haze. I tap it on my cheeks first and then put the excess on the lips, and it’s just a good time. Love it. Glossier Boy Brow on my brows to make them look a little fuller, and I definitely do wear highlighter. I like the Kevyn Aucoin Powder because it’s pretty sheer. I do pretty natural stuff, but then I like when [makeup artists] just go HAM on my face, and go crazy, you know? I love feeling different.
I used to use Josie Maran Cleansing Oil on my body and I loved it. I need to get it again because my skin was thriving then. I don’t really use very much moisturizer on my body but people always tell me I’m extremely soft, so I’m just gonna ride that wave, and hope it stays that way for the rest of my life! Sometimes if I shave and I’m like, really feeling saucy, I’ll put moisturizer on my legs. But I’m not like a daily moisturizer. I should. For fragrance though I’m frickin’ obsessed with this little [perfume] oil I have. It’s from Whole Foods, it’s called Narcissus. I don’t know what even the smell is. It’s like jasmine-y, woodsy. I definitely like those tones, rather than like a bright, crazy fragrance. This is subtler.
I go to a lot of shows. I like seeing bands I don’t know. That’s pretty much how I have fun. I like Market Hotel in Brooklyn—it’s on the second story in like, deep Williamsburg, and you can see the train go by. I’ve been there a couple times where I’ve really enjoyed it. like Music Hall of Williamsburg—I recently got to play a show there, which was really special because I had seen Bad Brains there when I was younger, and to get to play there was really special.
At the end of the night I pretty much hope that I wash my face and go to bed. If I don’t wash my face I’ll be bummed in the morning. My skin really feels it, and I really don’t like sleeping with makeup. Obviously, worst case scenario, maybe I have some wipes like Yes to Carrots or like Burt’s Bees wipes. That’s if I’m really in a rough spot. But otherwise I don’t really stay up. Because if I leave, that means like, I’m done. I’ve developed a magical power where if I’m somewhere and I’m not having fun I’m like, ‘Oh, I can leave.’ And I just go."
—as told to ITG
Ruby Aldridge photographed by Tom Newton on January 18, 2018.
