My Vanity Kit: fei fei

What were your early experiences with make up like?

I've always been fascinated by makeup: specifically, my mother's makeup. My mother worked throughout my childhood (and still does!), and she wore red Christian Dior or Estee Lauder lipstick to work, which, of course, I would surreptitiously steal and swipe onto my lips whenever I used my parents’ bathroom. Being a child, though, I had nowhere to go with my glamorous red lips, so the lipstick would inevitably get washed off in 10 minutes after I'd had my fill of pouting at myself in the bathroom mirror.

My first beauty product was concealer though: the miracle remedy for acne-afflicted teenagers. I had problematic skin when I was going through adolescence, and I learned early on, out of necessity, how to neutralize the red splotches and acne on my face.

Were you always into beauty growing up?

Not as much as one would expect, considering I was always a girly girl, actually. I was more carefree when I was a child, but once adolescence came a-knocking, I became uncomfortable about the changes happening with my body, face and hair. I became self-conscious about drawing attention to myself with beauty products. The first time I used dark brown eyeliner to school I used it to draw the faintest, most subtle, most understated line around my eyes, being so careful not to make it look obvious that it was there. I remember not wanting people to think I used makeup, because that implied that I was trying to look pretty, which implied I thought I was pretty, which I certainly didn't feel at the time. Thankfully, I’ve grown out of that phase.

What makeup are you wearing today?

Laura Mercier Radiant Foundation Primer to set a smooth base. Benefit Erase Paste to even out the skin tone under my eyes and neutralize any redness around my nose. Makeup For Ever HD Microfinish Powder, which I love: it’s a finishing powder that keeps my oil-prone skin under control, but looks completely natural because it's translucent. A light filling in of my brows with a brown Estee Lauder Brow Defining Pencil, followed by a black Cynthia Rowley or dark brown Urban Decay eyeliner pencil. And depending on whether it’s a black or a brown day, Kat Von D's Tattoo Liner in Trooper (black) or Mad Max (dark brown). I adore liquid eyeliner, and am obsessed with Kat Von D's Tattoo Liners (I even stock up on spares, just in case there is a worldwide shortage or something). When I practice hot yoga, and all my makeup has slid off my face, the only thing that still remains is my Kat Von D liquid liner. This thing could survive a (metaphorical) nuclear bomb. Then NARS Laguna bronzer for some cheekbone definition, NARS Orgasm for some flush, NYX highlighter, and a misting of Urban Decay's All Nighter spray to make sure everything lasts. Finally, for my lips: MAC’s Prep + Prime lip base, and Kat Von D’s Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita II. It sounds like a lot of products when I list it all out, but I've whittled down this process to just 15 minutes flat.

I don't need mascara because I put on my own semi-permanent eyelash extensions, and only have to reapply (in bits and pieces) every few days. Best decision ever, because I hate removing mascara. I have an entire box of false lashes and am not ashamed to admit I am a beauty hoarder/eyelash addict.

Do you wear makeup everyday?

Yes. Every single day. Whether I see anyone or not; whether I leave the house or not. I love wearing makeup: it's my warpaint. It makes me feel prepared for the day. For me it's as essential as brushing my teeth or washing my face - it's part of my morning routine before I start my day.

What is your typical skincare routine?

I'm very disciplined about my skincare routine. In the mornings, I wash my face with Fresh's Soy Face Cleanser and tone with a Clinique Clarifying Lotion. Lately, I've also started using Kiehl's Iris Extract Activating Essence Treatment after my toner and before my skincare products. My skincare products are a No. 7 Lift & Luminate Under eye cream, Kiehl's Powerful Strength Line-Reducing Vitamin C Concentrate and Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel.

At night, I remove my makeup with Garnier's Micellar Cleansing Water (which is such an amazing drugstore find: I find it works just as well as its more expensive micellar water counterparts). I cleanse, tone and apply essence treatment as I do in the mornings, and then use Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream, and the Advanced Night Repair Serum (I am totally sold on this idea of my skin undergoing some advanced, miraculous repair process while I sleep: so efficient! Does it work? One can only hope). And then I slather on my Clinique moisturizer on my face, By Terry's Rose balm on my lips, and Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Skin Protectant on my hands. The lip balm and hand cream are a bit indulgent, but it makes me feel like I'm really pampering myself to go to sleep.

Are there any beauty rituals that you've inherited from the women in your family?

Just to take care of myself and my skin. My maternal grandmother had the most meticulous beauty and skin care routine, and was known in my family for forever running late because it took her so long to get ready. I think it’s paid off though: you can tell she’s taken care of herself, and that’s what I aspire to. A little bit of effort each day will (hopefully) pay off in the end, and ultimately, your skin is your biggest beauty investment.

What was your biggest beauty faux pas?

It’s definitely a toss-up between the period during college that I plucked my eyebrows into oblivion, and the period during high school where I wore dreadlocks (not intense, full-on dreads, but like minor dreads. Still major eww though).

What is your one desert island beauty product?

LIPBALM. LIPBALM FOREVER. I’d bring a tub of Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant, which in my humble opinion is the best lip balm in the world. And can also be used as a moisturizer for just about anything that needs moisturizing.

How do you care for your hair?

My hair is extremely temperamental, so it’s always a challenge finding the right haircare routine that doesn’t cause my hair to frizz. Right now I use Living Proof products for curly hair: a curl conditioning wash, curl detangling rinse, and curl defining styling cream. I use a diffuser to blow my hair to a semi-dry state, and then have to sleep on it or it goes crazy. I’m also in love with Ouai Hair Oil: it’s a cult product but the hype is real. I use a pea-sized amount every night before bed to prevent my hair from drying out, and a spritz in the morning to keep my hair smooth throughout the day. It also smells like jasmine, which is a nice touch.

What products do you use on your body?

Dr. Bronner’s Rose Castile Liquid Soap, and Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner from Lush. Body conditioner is one of my favourite inventions ever – it takes way less time to moisturize in the shower than it does outside of it. When I feel like I need more moisture, though, I also use Kiehl’s Crème De Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter.

What's your most indulgent beauty item?

Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir, because I still don’t know what it does but it makes me feel fabulous. And my Diptyque Baies candles. I am well aware that they are scented candles and thus shouldn’t conceivably have any effect on my appearance, but I immediately feel luxurious and beautiful when I have them lit.

What is your overall beauty philosophy?

Red lipstick solves everything. And take care of your skin.