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.

My Closet in Sketches

 

AM Routine: “I rub Cetaphil into dry skin and then splash it off with water— I never towel dry my face, instead, I just let the water sink in before applying Oil of Olay moisturizer with sunscreen.”

Currently in her makeup bag: “I actually put all my makeup out on this pretty ceramic tray that I got at the Chinese ceramic import store on 6th and H St NW. I rotate between four mascaras (and often use three simultaneously): CoverGirl Exact EyeLights for blue eyes, CoverGirl LashBlast, Maybelline Falsies Volum’ Express, and Maybelline Great Lash in Blackest Black. I use a matte brown Maybelline eyeshadow to fill in my brows. On my face, I swipe on Bobbi Brown Bronzer in Medium and, before I apply Bobbi’s blush in Nectar, I pat on Smith’s Rosebud Salve onto the apples of my cheeks. It creates a dewy finish and makes the blush last. I sometimes use Milano liquid eyeliner for a cat eye – when I’m feeling frisky. Most of my makeup brushes are by Sonia Kashuk for Target, because the quality is incredible for the price. Also, I have a veritable artist’s palate of different eyeshadows, which I like to play with and layer as if I’m painting. Because the face is just another canvas, right?”

Current obsession: “Getting away with as little makeup as possible in the summer. And, avoiding sun cancer by always applying sunscreen in the morning.”

Beauty mantra: “The more you obsess over your flaws, the more others notice them. Be good to the beauty you were born with.”

Go-to salon: “Semi at Headliner Hair Salon (in Van Ness) has been my eyebrow, bikini, and nail guru for as long as I have lived in DC. She’s more than just a beauty specialist, she is like my therapist, cheerleader, priest, matchmaker, and mama, all rolled into one! I care for her deeply, and always leave feeling beautiful, inside and out.”

Lauren Friedman

PM routine: “Same deal with the Cetaphil, followed by Clean & Clear Dual Action moisturizer, plus benzoyl peroxide for spots. I’m also a big balm person, so I pat Boots Beauty Balm around my eyes and lips.”

Skincare essentials: “Did I mention sunscreen? I drink plenty of water, and I like to exfoliate every other day with the Olay Professional ProX Cleansing Brush (the drugstore version of the Clarisonic).”

Summer hair routine: “A friend just turned me on to the Biotene H-24 shampoo and conditioning system. I have very fine, yet frizzy, hair that I’m REALLY trying to grow out. This stuff makes it feel thicker and also helps to combat the frizz. However, I am usually twisting my hair up into a bun (with a clip, instead of a hair tie, to avoid damage) because what’s worse than sweaty hair getting all up in your business?”

Best makeup application secret: “I’m always mixing products and colors. If I apply foundation, I mix a few shades based upon how tan (or not tan) I am, plus I like to use two different shades for contouring. (The darker shade goes where you apply your bronzer, on your upper forehead, jawline, and under your cheekbones, while the lighter color is for down the bridge of your nose and underneath your eyes). If I am wearing lipstick, I believe that two colors mixed together are always more flattering than one on its own.”

I feel naked when I’m not wearing… “Mascara. That shit at least makes me look awake!”

Sketch and photo courtesy of Lauren Friedman

Want to nominate your local Washingtonian for my AM to PM series? Contact me at kara@thebeautyminimalist.com.