AM to PM

12.3.13

AM to PM with Susanna Quinn

Meet Susanna Quinn: writer, philanthropist, mother and wife of Jack Quinn. The native Washingtonian has worked on Capitol Hill as a research assistant, legislative aide and deputy chief of staff. Her writing has been published in The Washington Post, The Washington Times and The Huffington Post. Susanna is involved with many charitable organizations including Meridian Ball, which she has co-chaired, and the Children’s National Medical Center Gala. Today, she dishes on her must-have makeup favorites, secrets to flawless skin and a kick ass beauty mantra.

Susanna’s AM Beauty Routine:
“I wash my face with Donell Creme Wash Face Cleanser using the Clarisonic Brush and I apply vitamin C gel, La Mer tinted SPF and Aquafor on my lips. And even if I have no plans to leave to the house, I spray on perfume. I always loved the way my Mom smelled and, one day, I hope my kids have that same memory of me. I have worn Prada Amber for years but I mix in Prada Candy and Balenciaga’s new scent , L’eau Rose. Sometimes, I spray just one of them and sometimes, I mix them.”

Currently in her makeup bag:
La Mer tinted SPF which doubles as a light foundation
Bobbi Brown Powder Pink crème blush
Nars Cheek Palette and Nars Deep Throat blush
Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Powder
Nars Atlantic Eyeliner Pen
Loreal Voluminous Mascara
Bobbi Brown Black Navy eyeliner
Nars Majella Satin Lip Pencil
Bobbi Brown lip gloss in Nougat and Pink Sugar
Chanel Aqualumiere Lip Gloss in Essense
Sexy Mother Pucker Lips Gloss

Current obsession:
“I am obsessed with sunglasses. Squinting causes eye wrinkles so I wear them all year and all the time. Currently, I rotate between Ray Ban wayfarers and Chanel aviators– both which I have outfitted with prescription lenses.”

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AM to PM with A Lacey Perspective

One of the reasons I love reading Lacey’s style blog, A Lacey Perspective, is that she always puts together the chicest DC outfits (for work and for play) without forgetting a bold lip color. Today, Lacey breaks down her beauty routine from AM to PM.

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AM to PM with Poor Little It Girl

I’m not going to lie—every time I read Cathy’s stellar style blog, Poor Little It Girl, the first thing that usually pops up in my mind is, “gosh, her hair and makeup always looks flawless in her photographs. How does she do it?! Better if I just ask her myself. Today, Cathy spills her best application secrets, her affinity for red lipstick and how she gets her makeup to stay put.

Photo courtesy of Poor Little It Girl

Her AM routine:

“The first thing I do when I wake up is wash my face (either in the shower or at the sink) with my Clarisonic and Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser followed by Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. I also take my vitamins, of course!”

Her beauty mantra:

“When it doubt, wear red lipstick.”

Currently in her makeup bag:

“My makeup collection is quite minimal. I use my favorite Stephanie Johnson Miami Pink Medium Zip Cosmetic that holds my everyday essentials like Benefit Stay Flawless 15-hour Primer, Dr.Jart+ BB Makeup, Neutrogena Brightening Eye Perfector, Revlon Photo Read Powder and Benefit “They’re Real” mascara. If I use eyeliner I love L’OREALs Telescopic Liquid Liner.”

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AM to PM with My Closet in Sketches

I first met Lauren Friedman of My Closet in Sketches at LuckyFABB last fall in New York and we immediately bonded when we discovered we’re both from the District. Lauren has been on my AM to PM hit list for a while so I was thrilled when she agreed to let me snoop through her beauty routine. Lauren has been sketching clothes in the margins of her notebooks since she could hold a pencil so instead of your typical makeup snapshot, Lauren offered to sketch her favorite makeup products. Talk about bringing beauty to life! Her work is just phenomenal (you may have seen her work in the pages of Lucky) and now you can shop her growing assortment of postcards and art. The talented sketch artist and blogger dishes on why using three mascaras are better than one (totally agree!), her top-notch beauty tips and tricks and her sincere appreciation for her own beauty guru.

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AM to PM with Fortique Founder Stephanie Olvey

I’ve always enjoyed keeping up with new online businesses and entrepreneurs in the District. Case in point: Stephanie Olvey, a former Living Social employee that left the corporate world to launch her own business, Fortique. Stephanie came up with a stellar idea: an online marketplace for creative entrepreneurs to sell services (think personal styling, photography, interior design, event planning, among other like jobs). How cool is that?

When Stephanie reached out to me proclaiming her love for all things beauty and my blog, I was supremely flattered and impressed with her growing knowledge of makeup (she has a Birchbox subscription to prove it!). The drugstore beauty junkie says she likes to splurge on select products but she’s dedicated her life to “discovering affordable beauty treasures.” From frequent salon visits to her simple skincare routine, Stephanie divulges about her daily beauty regimen.

Her AM routine: “I start my routine by washing my face and lightly exfoliating (2-3 times a week) while in the shower (the steam makes it feel like a facial!). I avoid drying my face to keep it moisturized and add a dollop of Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. I have dry skin, and it worked for my Grandmother! I follow that up with some eye serum and a light SPF 15 moisturizer.”

Skincare essentials: “Cetaphil, Cetaphil, Cetaphil! I use it for cleansing and light or heavy moisturizing. I also use Garnier 3 in 1 Wash, Scrub, and Mask, and VMV Hypoallergenics Re-Everything Eye Serum.”

Currently in your makeup bag: “Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner, Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint, Wet-n-Wild Eyeshadow from CVS, Maybelline One by One Volum’ Express Mascara, and theBalm Hot Mama Blush. All of this lives in my Vera Bradley Travel Cosmetic bag.”

Current obsession: “SensatioNail home shellac kit! I used to pay to keep my nails shiny and polished, but now I do it myself. If you have a steady hand and the patience to remove the polish yourself, it’s totally worth it. Now I have friends and family asking me to do their nails.”

Her beauty mantra: “Listen to your mother. When she tells you to drink water and wear sunscreen, it’s probably because she wishes she did when she was your age.”

Favorite go-to salons in the area: “I’m a hair nut. I see my hair stylist Dan at Silk Salon & Spa in Clarendon every five weeks to make sure my color and cut is just right. Perhaps that’s why I had to start doing my own nails.”

Her PM routine: “I don’t do well with nighttime routines, so I keep it simple with generic-brand makeup remover wipes. I foIlow that with another dollop of Cetaphil, and I’m ready for bed!

Summer hair routine: “I have thick and frizzy hair that can’t decide if it wants to be curly or straight. Growing up in humid Florida, though, I learned a few secrets. During the spring/summer, I like to curl my hair with my Sedu straightening iron in fairly tight curls, spray them with anti-humidity spray, and let them drop into loose curls and eventually beachy waves. The ceramic iron keeps the hair smooth, and the curls keep my hair from doubling in size from the humidity.”

Best makeup application secret: “Beautyblender sponges! I love the contours for applying foundation around the eyes and nose, and it makes makeup look airbrushed.”

I feel naked when I’m not wearing… “MASCARA! I have blonde/invisible eyelashes.”

Photo credit: Laura Fruchterman