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 loves! My name is Djouliet Amara (@djouliet). I’m from middle-of-nowhere Winnipeg, Manitoba, but I’m currently a professional dancer in New York City. Dancing is my outlet, absolutely. Previously, I had the opportunity to work with Ailey II as a company apprentice, but now I’m with my dream agency, Clear Talent Group. Recently, my dancing has translated into a lot of print work—after working with Refinery29 on some of their dance features, I wiggled in front of Warren Elgort’s camera for a collaboration between Forever 21 and Kodak.

Ever since I was a little girl performing in my first dance recitals, I’ve been fascinated by the idea of sitting in front of a mirror and putting on stage makeup. It’s all art—it’s creating a character. I remember so fondly applying cheap red lipstick in the big dressing room mirrors—a ritual! I’ve learned so much from makeup artists on set, like Jonet Williamson. She taught me the power of the mini-slay—a baby color pop of winged liner makes such a difference. And my dance teacher as a kid taught me to suck on a finger after applying lipstick. It doesn’t get on your teeth—it’s a dancer classic.

I like to let my skin breathe whenever it can, so I don’t really wear foundation. Soleil Tan de Chanel is my favorite—I’ve been using it since I was 17 years old. I put it straight onto prepped skin anywhere I want to add a natural kiss of color to my face. I love my Cloud Paint—Beam, specifically. The best. My friend and makeup artist Rachel Lynne Jones taught me to use the one-finger rule when applying blush: You want to make sure you don’t apply any color a finger-width next to your nose. I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve never touched my brows—I’m afraid to thread, wax, or pluck. I actually wish mine were less thin! I love to fluff them with Boy Brow. I start with Brown, and go back in with Clear to clean them up after. In seven seconds, I look like my ex-boyfriend, but better. If I have to leave the house in a hurry though, I just swipe on some mascara and go. Glossier Lash Slick is the perfect semi-waterproof mascara, and it holds up so well during auditions. And I can’t forget a bit of Coconut Balm Dotcom! I’ve never traveled anywhere tropical, but if I close my eyes and apply it, it’s almost like I’m on vacation.

Taking care of your skin in between performances is so extremely important, working in the dance world—you have to wear a lot of makeup on stage to translate your expressions to the back row of the audience. My favorite face wash is the Kiehl’s Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser. As a girl with very dry skin, it’s been difficult for me to find a face wash that won’t leave me ashy afterwards. I love that the consistency is so gentle and creamy, and that the bottle lasts me so long. After washing my face, I spray a little bit of Heritage Store Rosewater—I love the smell of rose, and it’s so refreshing. I follow up with either Trader Joe’s brand Organic Argan Oil or generic Jojoba Oil from The Vitamin Shoppe. Because I have such dry skin, using an organic oil on my face after washing is essential. At night, I’ll use the Marie Veronique Gentle Retinol Night Serum about twice a week for anti-aging. I’m starting to take some preventative measures because of how often my skin is exposed to heavy makeup on set. Last, but certainly not least, is my Glossier Invisible Shield SPF. I cannot leave the house without this gift from heaven—it’s the perfect not-too-oily texture that feels super supple on my skin. Because I’m a woman of color, I especially have to protect my skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

I love co-washing my hair about twice a week. My favorite conditioner comes from the Coconut Hibiscus line by Shea Moisture, and I also use a leave-in treatment. My hair is really dry without it! My favorite is the EVOLVh Smart Volume Leave-In Conditioner. I spray this in my hair after a wash, and it makes my curls look absolutely incredible while protecting them, too. Daily, I apply the Curl Enhancing Smoothie and the Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Kids Extra Moisturizing Detangler to refresh my curls. It really helps keep my frizz to a minimum, and smells incredible."

—as told to ITG