Newly-elected congresswoman Alexandira Ocasio-Cortez has upped the ante from providing her lipstick shade to detailing her entire skincare and makeup routine. In an exchange that took place on Instagram following her remote appearance at the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday (January 27, 2019), she laid out her three-step skincare routine, placing a big emphasis on removing makeup before going to sleep.
The talk about skincare inevitably led to skin issues related to dairy consumption, about which Cortez opined, “I’m very into oat milk right now which imo is the best of all the milks after cashew milk (I know I sound [very] bougie right now so almost any non-dairy milk sounds bougie so here we are). My heart wants me to eat less meat and go more vegetarian, and some days I cannot for logistical reasons or I’m just gonna pass out if I don’t scarf down whatever is in front of me. But I do find that I consume way less meat and dairy than I once did. I feel better when I don’t eat it as much, too.”
When one follower said she was more interested in speech-writing, Ocasio-Cortez, the queen of doing both, also weighed in with helpful advice, suggesting a lot of reading and careful study of favorite orators. Who are hers? Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, Delores Huerta, Angela Davis and Shakespeare. She adds, “It’s not about the words, it’s about story. But no matter what you choose to say, it will not be impactful unless you are breaking silence on important truths.
Check out a transcription of her Instagram Stories below.
How do you stay stress free and how do you keep your skin so clear?
Ocasio: I do NOT stay stress free. I am stressed every day, a lot of the time. What I *am* able to do when I’m stressed is boil things down to their most important question: ‘What is this truly about?’ ‘Is this truly important in the larger scheme of things?’ ‘Do I have the power to change this, will doing more make it worse, or do I just need to ride it out?’ and that helps but it’s still stressful.”
As for skin, skincare is straight up a hobby of mine. I’m a science nerd and I truly enjoy the science of it, reading about compounds and studies, etc. It’s like that. But the biggest factors that help *my* skin (everyone’s skin is different! and you same skin changes too): I don’t wear full cover foundation (only tinted moisturizer and bb creams); I keep wipes next to my bed and at the very least wipe it off; and I have a multi-step skincare routine. I do indulge on this a little since I don’t buy a lot of makeup beyond my staples.
Step 1: DOUBLE CLEANSING. If you wear makeup–esp foundation–you should double cleanse. Cleanse with a balm or oil to melt off the makeup and then use a usual soapy cleanser to wash your skin. I also use a face brush or makeup towel when I’m being good. But also sometimes I just use a nice facewipe before bed. No ALCOHOL in your wipes (or any skincare product). But GET IT OFF your face. We’ve all slept in makeup. The wipes are a good place to start if this is a really bad habit.
Step 2: TONER AND ACTIVES: Toner should not have alcohol in it. It should feel like water but more nourishing (a lot of people use plain Witch Hazel. I’ve tried a lot of different kinds, they’re all good as long as there’s no alcohol. Actives are basically serums with active compounds (ex. Vitamin C, retinol, whatever. They should be in the layer closes to your skin after toner.
Step 3: MOISTURIZER AND SUNSCREEN: Use a moisturizer that works with your skin. I find moisturizer to be one of the most personal steps because everyone’s skin is different and it’s just like finding jeans that fit. Then: SUNSCREEN! The most important thing. I’ve been using daily sunscreen since I was 19. I’ve been bad about it lately and can tell the difference.
My makeup is pretty simple:
1. Tinted moisturizer or bb cream
2. Concealer
3. Mascara
4. Blush
5. Stick highlighter
6. Brow gel
7. Lip color
8. I use my finger or makeup sponge
Fancier days: powder, contour, eyeliner and eyeshadow
I’ve used both nice makeup and drugstore makeup. I also straight up don’t wear makeup some days and everyone just has to deal with it.
When it comes to makeup don’t use more than you need! If it’s a hobby or creative outlet for you, then definitely incorporate double cleansing and use a face brush or makeup towel to totally clean your face as soon as you can in your day. Let your skin BREATH. If you’re layering your face in makeup day after day (which is also totally fine) make sure you clean or wipe your skin early when you get home so it has time to rest. Sounds weird but that’s the best way I can describe it. I have tried the eyelash thing and I don’t know man, I’m gonna poke my eyes out one of these days. I haven’t given up entirely but I have also never gone out in public in them. I have gone out into my bathroom and look ridiculous with them falling off. Bless y’all that can do that. I will keep trying.
Check out screen captures on Ocasio’s thoughts on skincare, beauty, diet and speech-writing below.
