New York’s Top Tastemaker Jenna Lyons On What’s Cool Right Now

All eyes were on Jenna Lyons as she joined the cast of season 14 of The Real Housewives of New York City, and why wouldn’t they be? Just as she completely reinvented American fashion brand J.Crew in her role as President and Executive Creative Director, the style icon has reimagined what it means to be a ‘Housewife’.

In true Lyons fashion, it was as much her aesthetic (high-low dressing, oversized glasses, Breton knits, impeccable tailoring, crisp shirts unbuttoned to the sternum) as it was her relatability and reluctance to buy into the show’s drama that has us crushing on her all over again. Unlike the ‘typical’ reality cast member, the only ‘falseness’ Lyons displayed was on her eyes – in the form of her own faux lash brand, LoveSeen which she developed in part to accent her own sparse lashes (the result of a genetic condition called incontinentia pigmenti).

At the same time, we couldn’t help but notice the rest of her beauty look too: striking scarlet lipstick, polished ponytails and a very wearable smoky eye – and we wanted more!

So, as the latest member of the MECCA Collectiva, we asked Lyons to reveal the products taking up space in that spectacular marble bathroom.

1. My signature beauty style is…
“I love to play with opposites. A smokey eye and a nude lip or red lip and a nude eye. My favorite eyeshadow palette is ‘Corporate Colors’ by Byredo and favorite red lipstick is Bobbi Brown’s New York Sunset.”

2. My morning routine looks like…
“I hit the snooze button as many times as possible, without it being obscene. I really enjoy my bed. And then I waterboard myself with coffee that is hand-delivered by my son or girlfriend, whoever wakes up first. Then I check my schedule and assess what will be my least favourite and best moments of my day.

“I then check my stocks, bonds and my neighbour’s behaviour and make pancakes or ‘toast in a hole’ for [my son] Beckett, depending on his mood.”

3. The beauty products I always come back to are…
“Omorovicza Daily Vitamin C, Rituel de Fille The Ethereal Veil Conceal and Cover, La Mer The Concentrate.”

4. The beauty tips I swear by are…
“Exfoliate until you can’t stand it. And when you need an instant facelift, put your hair in a really tight ponytail.”

5. My favourite LoveSeen lashes are…
“The Iris [V-051943] or Luca [V-051945] for daytime. For more drama, I use Noor.”

6. Beauty services and treatments I swear by…
“Anything that can be done to me while I'm horizontal. I've never met a beauty treatment I didn’t love. Having my face rubbed, poked and moved is my actual dream.”

7. My strategy in the bathroom is…
“I like to get in and out as quickly as possible – it is shocking, considering the sheer number of products I have. But I believe that with a few good products, you don’t need much time to look your best.”