It takes a lot to stop New Yorkers in their tracks. Yesterday morning though, a crowd dressed in everything from Alaïa to bike shorts managed to do just that outside on the corner of Broome Street and Sixth Avenue. The occasion? A breakfast celebrating Glossier's new I ❤️ NY Balm Dotcom—an apple-flavored lip balm created in partnership with New York State Division of Tourism—and New York itself.
Hosted by campaign star, founder of Starkman and Associates, and all-around extremely cool person Ariella Starkman, the morning featured the very first breakfast offerings from Ha’s: bacon, egg, and cheese bánh mìs, coconut tapioca puddings, and black sesame and peanut rice porridge. Ben Sherman serenaded guests with his saxophone. And a coffee cart sent guests off with caffeine in hand, because, of course, New Yorkers have places to be.
With so many plugged-in folks in one place, it was an opportune time to get nosy. What beauty essentials did everyone pack in their bag? A lot, apparently. Below, everyone from Coco Baudelle to gallerist Hannah Traore on the goos and goops always by their side, and why there's no place like New York.
Coco Baudelle, Actor and Director
Time in New York: 12 years.
Favorite Thing About New York: The people here keep you on your toes.
In Her Bag: It’s so hot in New York right now, so I keep Pat McGrath’s mattifying powder in my purse at all times. I’ve also been loving the new Chanel Rouge Coco Hydra glosses but especially Icing. The color is so pretty, and the formula feels really light and hydrating.
Chloé Véronique Dumas, Model and Actor
Time in New York: My whole life! I was born in New York.
In Her Bag: Beauty Pie’s Orange Absolute hand cream and Glossier’s I ❤️ NY Balm Dotcom. Honestly, Balm Dotcom has saved me so many times—especially when my cuticles are dry. That’s my favorite little trick.
Natalia Spotts, Digital Creator
Time in New York: 12 years.
In Her Bag: This is actually my gym bag so I have sneakers, water, and a cute little workout set. I also have a copy of Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain—I can’t put it down—and a tube of NARS’s Afterglow Lip Shine in Get Happy, and Glossier’s Lip Line in Buff.
Hannah Traore, Founder, Hannah Traore Gallery
Time in New York: Eight years.
Favorite Thing About New York: How unique everyone is. Other places can be so homogeneous, but I’m constantly inspired here.
In Her Bag: A little container of 100% pure lanolin from Long Island Livestock Co; it’s my favorite thing ever. I always have blush with me. Right now, I have Patrick Ta’s Major Headlines duo in She’s So LA—I’ve gone through like seven million of them. I know he’s canceled right now so please know I don’t claim him. [Laughs] And I have my bottle of Ffern’s Spring 26 on me.
Peyton Dix, Podcast Host, Lemme Say This
Time in New York: 10 years—I officially got my New Yorker card this year.
Favorite Thing About New York: The access to community and queer community, specifically. You can find queer and POC communities in other places but nothing like this.
In Her Bag: My passport because I don’t have an ID right now and I’m rawdogging life. Then I have my lip combo: Glossier’s Lip Line in Flush, MAC’s Powder Kiss matte lipstick, and Topicals’ Slick Slave balm.
The Extras: I get my eyelash extensions done at Masterpiece in Williamsburg—they’re so fab. This morning, I mixed three perfumes. The first is Escentric Molecules 01 + Iris, which I discovered at Into The Gloss’ Top Shelf dinner party and has changed my life. Then I added Glossier You Doux and did a spritz of Diptyque’s Fleur De Peau hair mist.
Benton McClintock, Digital Creator
Time in New York: Seven years.
Favorite Thing About New York: I love the authenticity and the bluntness of New Yorkers. There’s a sense of efficiency that allows for more genuine connections because there’s no time to waste. And I love how experimental beauty is here. You can truly try whatever the fuck you want.
In His Bag: Glossier’s I ❤️ NY Balm Dotcom, Caudalie’s Grape Water mist, and a bottle of Glossier You.
Michelle Li, Writer and Digital Creator
Time in New York: 14 years.
Favorite Thing About New York: There are so many characters—everyone’s just willing to be themselves. I love that you can see that everyone’s shaped by the city in a different way.
In Her Bag: Tennis rackets because I’m going to play after this, Eadem’s Le Chouchou gloss in Butter Mochi, Fara Homidi’s lip pencil in Minky, Byredo’s eyeliner, and my gua sha. My jaw gets really tense, so whenever I’m stressed I’ll try to massage it out.
The Extras: I’m wearing Sublimity from Lore. It’s my favorite perfume for the summer.
Katie Gunderman, Associate Social Media Manager, Self and Allure
Time in New York: A little over three years.
In Her Bag: Glossier’s I ❤️ NY Balm Dotcom and YSL’s cushion foundation. Then I have a pouch full of my favorite lippies, including OGs like Make Up For Ever’s Artist pencils and MAC’s M·A·Cximal lipstick in Kinda Sexy—a perfect warm beige nude that I absolutely love.
Carol Lee, Beauty Writer, The Cut
Time in New York: Eight years.
Favorite Thing About New York: The fact that so many of my friends are here—and that I often make new friends every week. And I love that you can be walking down the street and run into incredible events like this.
In Her Bag: Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat liner duo pencil in Tan, Chanel’s Ultra Tenue duo in Light Brown, Jung Saaem Mool’s Skin Nuder cushion foundation in 19C Pink Light, GWS’s SPF 30 lip gloss in Ripe Berry, and Cora panty liners. I also have two Le Labo minis: Santal 33 and Another 13. I know Santal 33 gets a bad rap, but when you layer it with Another 13, it becomes a little spicier, and I get so many compliments.
The Extras: When the first Glossier flagship opened—after the showroom—I was such a rabid fan that I was the first person in line when the store opened, and Emily Weiss reposted my Instagram Stories. It was the best moment ever for college Carol.
—as told to Daise Bedolla
Photos by Born and ITG