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Alexandra Richards is also a deejay (she's scheduled to spin at the Amfar gala at Cannes). And a model (her first campaign was for Tommy Hilfiger when she was 14). And an artist (her paintings are hanging at The Hotel on Rivington in New York City, where we photographed her). So, make that a successful deejay/model/artist. "I like to be busy, and I don't want to tie myself down. Deejaying and modeling are great because I get to see the world, meet new people and play music while I'm at it. And art gives me a chance to tune out. It's therapeutic," she says. Considering that her careers require her to be seen and revolve around the visual, she radiates It Girl beauty. "When I'm deejaying, I like to change it up. It's fun to throw on a bold-colored lip or a smoky eye," Richards says. "And lately I've been pulling my hair into a loose side braid. It feels fresher than a ponytail and cooler than a braid down my back."
Her skin-care routine, however, is more strategic. "Every morning, I drink warm water with lemon squeezed into it to help hydrate," she says. "I also wash my face with Bioderma Sensibio H²O [$32] a few times a day, because I'm susceptible to breakouts." Clear skin is her top priority, so she avoids thick moisturizers and instead sprays her face with rosewater and applies Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Moisturizing Cream ($44), which doesn't clog her pores. "I have to keep my skin hydrated or I'll get acne. I also see my facialist, Tracie Martyn, before a big event," she adds. When she does have a breakout, she goes old school. "I dab it with witch hazel to dry it out," Richards says. "And I hate looking shiny, so I keep blotting sheets in my deejay bag." What else is in her bag of tricks? Read on to get her stunning hair, eyes and lips.
Above: "Deejaying is way too hard with long nails. And a bright color shows chips," Richards says. Her nude polish pick: Essie in Mademoiselle, $9. Jacket, Ralph Lauren Black Label, $2,995; RalphLauren.com. Dress, Pure DKNY, $195; Bloomingdale's. Necklace, $175; ChanLuu.com
Long, tousled hair that you can whip around is basically the unofficial musician hairstyle. (The Rolling Stones's famous shaggy hair is no exception.) "It's super low-maintenance," Richards says. Still, she does work at keeping her strands strong and healthy. "Since I highlight it every couple of months, and that makes it weaker, I try to avoid damaging hot tools and let my hair air-dry instead." To enhance her naturally wavy texture, she spritzes Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray ($26) into towel-dried hair. "I make sure that I apply it only to the middle section of my hair so it doesn't weigh down my roots," Richards says. Then she just leaves it alone as it dries. (The less you touch it, the less frizzy it will be.) "I tend to stay away from other styling products because they clog the pores along my hairline. Except for dry shampoo: I'll use that to give my roots a quick lift."
Above right: Shirt, Marc by Marc Jacobs, $278; Nordstrom.com. Necklace, $195; ChanLuu.com
A dark eye is sexy, striking and goofproof. "It's the easiest thing to do, because you don't have to be exact," Richards says. Start with a black kohl eyeliner pencil, like Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal in Jet Black, $4. Swipe it along the inner and outer rims of lids. "This really defines your eyes," Richards says. Then apply a matte black shadow (like Jouer Powder Eyeshadow in Licorice, $20) to your lids with a dense, dome-shaped shadow brush. Blend it up to the crease and swipe it along your lower lashes, too. "But I avoid the inner corners," Richards says. "Dark shadow there makes my eyes seem too close together." Last step: mascara on top and bottom lashes.
Above right: An eyeliner marker is easier than liquid liner to create a cat's-eye. Try CoverGirl Bombshell Intensity Liner, $7.
One benefit of a superbright color? "It shows up in the dark," says Richards, who prefers an orangy red. "It's bold but somehow friendlier than a classic Fifth Avenue red." Follow these tips so you don't look clownish: "Hydrate lips first so lipstick glides on evenly," Richards says. (She likes Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment, $13.) Then, for a softer look, pat a matte coral lipstick, like Tom Ford Beauty Lip Color in True Coral, $49, onto lips with your fingers. You know to skip eyeshadow with a strong lip, but don't neglect your brows. "I wear a tinted brow gel, and—this is key—I groom them with a clean mascara brush to blend it for a natural look. No clumps."
Above right: Dress, Jill Stuart, $688; 212-343-2300. Rings, $980 to $1,615 each; BeckyKelso.com
Fashion director, Evyan Metzner. Hair, Moiz at Art Department; makeup, Christopher Ardoff using Chanel Les Beiges Fluid; manicure, Gina Edwards for Chanel; set design, Jared Lawton.
Photo Credit: Ben Watts
