Alexandra Wilkis Wilson is a co-founder of Gilt.com, the flash-sale fashion site that forever changed the way we shop on the web. She recently became the CEO of GLAMSQUAD, an in-home, on-demand hair and makeup service that’s giving blowdry bars a run for their money. I’ve been a fan of GLAMSQUAD for a while now. It’s fast, convenient and the quality of the service is top-notch.
Wilson’s move to GLAMSQUAD was the news of both The Wall Street Journal and Womens Wear Daily. If Wilson catapults GLAMSQUAD the way she did Gilt, women across the country are about to change the way they think about how, and how often, they get their hair and makeup done.
Wilson might have excited the suits on Wall Street with her move, but I’m happy to see the world of professional beauty become more accessible. Wilson is a girl’s girl visionary. With Harvard Business School roots and cascading strawberry blond hair, she also managed to start a family in the midst of her growing success. Now, as the mother of two young children and at the helm of a burgeoning new business, Wilson shares her outlook on life, work and the benefits of a great blowout.
We started off with a beauty rapid fire:
Dewy or Matte
Matte
Bold Lip or Eye
Lip
Hair Up or Down
Down
Last Beauty Purchase
Urban Decay De-Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray
Desert Island Product
Sunblock!
Here’s a glimpse of Alexandra’s must-haves. I’m intrigued! So many cool brands:
1: Erno Laszlo 3-9 Balm
2: Chanel Rouge Double Intensite′ Lip Color
3: Tata Harper Rejuvinating Serum
4: Iconic Anti-Aging Skin Preserver
5: Peter Thomas Roth BB Blur SPF 30 Beauty Balm
6: Hard Night Good Morning Eye Cream
7: Miracle 10 Cleanser
8: Youth Corridor Boost 2.0
9: Dior Diorshow Mascara
Must Have Make-Up
Bobbi Brown makeup brushes, Eliza’s Eyes Brow Shaper Gel, MAC Prep + Prime Translucent set powder, Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. Diorshow Mascara and Chanel Rouge Double Intensite′ Ultra Wear Lip Color.
Lip Service
I am not particularly loyal to one shade or brand of lipstick or gloss, I am always trying new ones, but let’s be honest— Chanel does great packaging!
Her Go-To Evening Look
An awesome blow out, long dark lashes and a strong, lasting lip.
She Keeps Secrets
My biggest beauty blunder? Not on the internet please!
Main Event
I am not that good at doing my own hair, so hallelujah for GLAMSQUAD.
Biggest Beauty Indulgence
Facials at Dr. Adam Kolker’s office. His aestheticians are amazing.
NYC Black Book
I get my cut and color at Vartali Salon, I get my skin checked for sun damage at Dr. Gervaise Gerstner and I get my facials at Dr Adam Kolker. Products? I buy those online and also love the new Birchbox store. And now that GLAMSQUAD is here, my go-to process for getting ready just got a whole lot easier!
Best Face Forward
GLAMSQUAD’s The Dreamer is our signature look that makes me feel like a million bucks, since I LOVE big lashes and a great lip color. It makes me feel like me, but better!
Iconic
I admire women who have aged gracefully because they took good care of their skin throughout their lives
When Motherhood Minuses the Minutes
I have less time to spend on myself so I have had to become more efficient! I now trust the professionals to take care of me when I don’t have the time to!
Truth
Motherhood is not for sissies! It is hard work! Motherhood has made me more appreciative of my own mother and my grandmothers.
The Children Notice Everything
(As in, hair done or undone. Makeup on or off.) Of course they do. Kids have amazing intuition.
She Means Business At Home, Too.
My kids know that I am strict about their sunblock and they cooperate when I lather them.
Lessons from Grandma
Less is more.
Lesson for Her Children
Beauty comes from within.
The Balance
I try and take it one day at a time and do the best I can. It helps that I am hyper organized.
Dream indulgence
An afternoon of pampering sounds pretty amazing!
Baby Daddy: My girl crush Jessica Seinfeld continues to do good (and look amazing), launching her Baby Buggy Fatherhood Initiative this week, helping low-income fathers with donations, goods and support services.
Inspiring: Second-time mama-to-be Kristin Bell, a guest editor on TotalBeauty.com, talks about living pretty, inside and out.
Advice: Reese Witherspoon’s daughter, Ava, thinks her mom is a “dork,” gives her fashion advice.
Doubletake: Zoe Kravitz, daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, revives her Mom’s Cosby-era dreadlocks and looks just like Denise Huxtable.
Instagram: A strong case for keeping your kids’ photos off the social media site.
Gorgeous: Essie’s new fall nail polish collection. (I’m all about Partner in Crime!)
Lip Service: A useful guide to lip finishes.
Carry On: Word is that the TSA is soon lifting the 3.4oz limit for on-board liquids. Look forward to being able to take full size versions of your favorite beauty products on your next trip.
Have a beautiful weekend xo
It’s a Girl! Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling are parents. No word on the name yet, which is not too surprising given they managed to keep Mendes’s pregnancy A secret until July.
Grace: Debra Messing on work, motherhood and the balance. I still miss Will and Grace, but I can’t wait to watch my favorite redhead in her new series The Mysteries of Laura.
Brush Basics: Are you making the most of your makeup brushes? Here’s a nice guide to blending and blushing.
Love This! Great makeup tricks in quick, informative (and mesmerizing) GIFs.
Trend Alert: The 1990’s are baaaaaack in beauty.
Priorities: A nice guide to fall makeup must-haves.
Luxe: Gucci’s new cosmetic line launches.
More Luxe: The rest of fall’s very exciting new makeup launches from Tom Ford, Charlotte Tilbury and more.
Have a beautiful weekend!
The mom of two girls on The Late Show this week. She tells David Letterman her woes about parenthood, potty training and preschool admissions.
Priceless.
Have a good laugh and a beautiful weekend.
Congrats! Scarlett Johansson gave birth to a baby girl this week and named her Rose. Alyssa Milano also had a girl, her second child, and named her Elizabella.
Instagram: Jessica Simpson’s shared a sweet photo of her daughter doing her makeup.
How-To: An easy, streamlined cat eye.
Beauty Boost: The supplements that work.
NY Fashion Week: Beauty looks that stole the show.
Haute Hair: All the styles fit to be tried (and tied) seen at Fashion Week.
Question: Are girls easier to raise than boys?
R.I.P.: Joan Rivers. A trailblazer, a devoted mother and grandmother. Her mark on this world is indelible.
There’s been a lot of chatter about Gwen Stefani’s appearance at the Emmy’s this week. Some say she looked so different she was unrecognizable. Predictable rumors about plastic surgery have been swirling. I don’t understand the accusatory tone and it saddens me when our culture attacks women in this way.
In my opinion, I think what made Stefani look so different is that she deviated so far from her signature style. We are used to seeing the rock star with her platinum hair tightly back with minimal eye makeup and her trademark red lip. Here she has her hair down, her blond is warmer and she’s traded her bold lip for a muted pink and major lashes. Anyone would look different.
I think she looks amazing.
Let’s not forget she gave birth to her third baby this year. Kudos to her for trying out a new style on the red carpet.