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 Maria Llaneza (@meryllaneza), and I'm from Asturias, Spain. I've been following Into the Gloss since the very, very beginning, and was contacted to do an #ITGTopShelfie in its early stages. I didn’t see the message for two years! I’ve been regretting it ever since—it was such a dream to be asked to share my routine, so I thought I’d send it now and try my luck. [Ed note: it worked!]
I currently live in Madrid, where I've started my own online store called Alo Nui. I've always been super interested in fashion and business, and after graduating from Parsons, I took the leap and went for it. I love how clothes can express your mood without saying a word. Some days a good outfit even makes me feel like I could take over the world—but having a good skin care routine, eating well, meditating, drinking lots of water and being grateful makes me look and feel the most beautiful.
I'm a beauty junky to say the least. I wash my face with the Omorovicza Cleansing Foam (the scent!) and, if I have stubborn mascara, use the Glossier Milky Oil. Then I’ll tone my skin with the Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner and use Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Serum. If I had to pick my favorite products right now, it would be oils. The one from Vintner's Daughter is my very favorite—it's not cheap, but it lasts forever. Emerald from Herbivore and the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery are very good, too. Sometimes I also use a cream that has my own plasma cells—I recently tried the vampire facial, and my dermatologist made it for me.
In the morning, I don't wash my face with a cleanser—I just use cold, cold water. I find cleansers in the morning to be too drying. I always use a vitamin C serum, and right now I'm obsessed with the Glossier one. I've always had under eye circles, so one time my doctor told me that taking Vitamin K would erase the blue tones because it’s used for bruises. I've been using it since, and it works like magic. I also use the Auto Correct eye cream by Sunday Riley for an extra boost. Then I might apply some Hyaluronic acid, like the one from Dr. Sebagh, followed by Embryolisse moisturizing cream and Barbara Sturm’s Sun Drops. Then lots of rosewater spray from the Heritage Store. I can't get enough of that.
I also love masks in all shapes and forms. When I lived in New York, I used to go to oo35mm in Chinatown and buy them almost in bulk. I’d do one every night, and I had the best skin ever. For eye masks, I'm in love with the patches from Wander Beauty, and the Klorane ones are classic and work great. And for the rest of my face, I've been loving the Lotus Youth Preserve from Fresh, the Mega Greens Galaxy Mask by Glossier and the mask from Barbara Sturm. A friend introduced me to the Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask and I think it’s super lovely—a great natural option.
For shampoo and conditioner, I use Kerastase and Oribe—I always have their Apres Beach Spray on hand. But I have dry hair, so a good hair oil is essential. I like the one from Ouai, and the Brilliantine by Bumble and Bumble helps too.
When I do put makeup on, it's always RMS concealer, Cloud Paint in Haze and some Milk Makeup Highlighter. I use Kevyn Aucoin bronzer on my cheeks and my eyes, and then define them more with Glossier eyeliner in Brack and mascara. I’ll use any—I love them all. Boy Brow is also very important. Lately I've been loving a red lip, and Dior's Rouge Dior Lipstick in 999 is the bomb. If you love crazy makeup, wear it. If you don't like putting on even a bit of it, then don't. I find that the more confident I feel, all the rest feels less important. Life is too short to not enjoy and express yourself."
—as told to ITG
Photos via the author
