I first came across Leah in 2013, and knew I had to ask her about Red Lipstick and we have been virtual friends ever since. There is a pandemic going on, and between her Art projects and non-profit work she found time to answer a few questions.
Fashion icon: There are so many amazing women I want to acknowledge but I think the most influential icon for me was Katherine Hepburn. I feel a kinship with her no nonsense elegant classic style. It sings to me. Especially the way she inhabited pants. If I could get away with never wearing a skirt or dress again I would.
Last piece of clothing purchased before the pandemic: I am not really sure. It was early March and I was spending a few days a week in NYC before lockdown. I think it could have been a beautiful red cashmere sweater I picked up at a sample sale. The color is a more blue red than orange red and gives me a little pick me up in the darkest days of winter.
Favorite Restaurant: My favorite restaurant is home. (Laughs) I live with a very talented chef @chefdanspitz who cooks better food than any restaurant for miles around. My top favorite dish is mussels with white wine, shallots, fennel pollen, and butter. We get a fresh baked loaf of levain bread from a local baker and dip it in the broth and serve it with a side salad of crisp locally grown greens. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Last book read: I am reading 3, but I just finished reading The Beneficiary by Janny Scott.
Current Favorite Shade of Crimson: A Mac color called Love Me Lipstick.
Beauty Routine: I start my day with a lavender based cleansing oil called Bee-you-ti-full and then a bit of The Ordinary Hyaluronic 2% formula and The Ordinary Buffet and top off with Mario Badesco spf 15 moisturizer. I don’t use makeup unless I am scheduled for a video meeting or plan to go out in public (living in the country has its upside). However makeup or not I always have a red lipstick in my bag just in case. At night I clean the day off with a coconut oil based scrub my herbalist sister makes for me that I absolutely adore. She makes a special essence that she infuses it with. The smell is divine and helps with getting me relaxed for bed. If I have makeup on I will first use a cleansing wipe from Burts Bees, then some skin brighting serum. Lastly I moisturize with Mario Badesco Bee Polin Night Cream. During the heavy winter months I will sometimes use Weleda Skin Food.
If you could live in any piece of clothing, what would it be: My absolute favorite piece of clothing that I will never live without is my white men’s shirting. It has to be very high quality cotton, the one I am wearing right now is from Sulka. I have 10 from all different company’s and I wear them practically everyday during the warmer months. I take them to the dry cleaner to be washed and pressed with a smidge of starch in the cuffs and collar. I always look fresh and crisp even with a paint spattered pair of jeans.
Here’s to running around chic! To follow Leah @leahmccloskyart
Run Around Chic 