Four words she’d use to describe herself
“Authentic. Empathetic. Pragmatic. People-person.”
How she views aging
“To me, aging is a gift. And I wish everyone saw it that way. Sometimes, the way our society treats aging is concerning. I believe that with age comes wisdom and resilience. I think aging should be viewed with respect, and that inner beauty trumps outer beauty, every single time.”
What she thinks gets better with age
“I’m thankful to be where I am in my career as a tenured professor. That took lots of years of hard work. I love being the mom of a toddler at this stage in my life. I am learning so much and each day is truly an adventure. I am also deeply grateful thankful to have my parents close. And I’m glad I care less now about other people’s assessments of me. People who really know me know my heart.”
Who she thinks is aging well
“My parents. They do their best to take care of themselves. They are active. They respect their bodies. Their approach has paid off as they look amazing, but they aren’t obsessed with maintaining an illusion or trying to look young.”
Scoop on her skincare
“I don’t really see a dermatologist, and I’m not a facial or spa person. But I am fortunate to be able to try a lot of different skincare products. I’m discerning though because you can’t calibrate a product’s efficacy if you are trying a million new things at once. I was introduced to Serucell by a longtime friend in the beauty industry. I started using it in March, when we were all on lockdown, and that gave me more time to pay attention to the results. I like products that are all-in-ones, and Serucell delivered. Within a few weeks of using it, my skin looked clearer, brighter, and I found myself needing less and less makeup.”
How she gets her enviably-healthy hair
“I think it’s partly a result of healthy childhood eating! My parents were pretty intense about what we ate as kids. The way many of us eat today—clean, organic, plant-based— is what my family was doing thirty years ago. I remember having sugar-free (always honey!) carob-chip cupcakes for my birthday! I also think good genes play a part—my parents have great hair— and I do take Hush & Hush Deeply Rooted, a supplement for healthy hair growth. Finally, I don’t blow-dry often, but when I do, I use my Dyson dryer, which is supposed to cause less damage than traditional dryers.”
Her favorite haircare products
“I swear by the Oribe Gold Lust line. I use the shampoo, conditioner, and masque. I also like products in the Hair Rituel by Sisley collection and Miriam Quevedo’s formulas have great ingredients. I typically wash my hair every other night, apply Oribe Run-Through Detangling Primer, and comb it out. Then I put it in a bun and go to bed, where I sleep on a Slip Silk pillowcase. In the morning, my hair is pretty close to dry.”
On her everyday esthetic
“My esthetic is whatever I can do in ten minutes or less. Pre-COVID, I was usually running out of the house in the morning to go teach so I came to rely on makeup products that are predictable in their performance—that make me look like a polished but natural version of myself and can effortlessly last through an eight-plus-hour day of lecturing. I’d describe my makeup approach as relatable, achievable and classic, with a particular appreciation for the fresh, sun-kissed glow of the late 1960s/early 1970s. I’ve never tried to be like other ‘influencers’ with intense brows, elaborate eye looks or very contoured cheekbones. There are so many solid examples of that on social media; no one needed me to do that too.”
A few of her tried-and-true makeup picks
“I like natural, luminous foundations, like those from Clé de Peau Beauté, SUQQU, Surratt Beauty, Au Naturale, La Prairie and Charlotte Tilbury. And I always use a bronzer to warm up my skin; some favorites are from Hourglass, Sisley and Kosas. A few other products I can’t live without: My trusty Surratt Beauty Artistique Cheek Brush, Westman Atelier’s Super-Loaded Tinted Highlighter, Tom Ford’s Golden Peach cream eyeshadow, BY TERRY Twist Brush Mascara, Lawless Beauty blushes, Victoria Beckham Beauty Black Satin Kajal Liner, my lip color collection with Christian Audette, and Sisley Phyto Lip Twist Tinted Balm in Sugar.”
Her aging motto
"When you have an authentic gratitude for life, aging becomes a blessing."