Jenna Lyons is a force in the fashion world. The designer and creative dynamo known for turning J.Crew into one of the most coveted brands in the country is just as lauded for her signature style. Classic with a twist, offset with a bold red lip. Now single, Lyons has infiltrated the beauty world with the launch of her lash brand, LoveSeen, and stepped in front of the camera to share her style secrets on her new HBO show, Style with Jenna Lyons. ”
CNN Underscored spoke with Lyons to get the inside scoop on her fashion and beauty basics.
A red lipstick
“A red lip was something I adopted as I always thought I looked better with a bit of colour. I love old classics like NARS Heat Wave; an orange-red is my shade, and I like reds and pinks with a hint of yellow. I also just did a lipstick collaboration with Marcia Kilgore of Beauty Pie and we did a new orange-red called Jenna.”
• The best lipsticks we’ve tested
Classic shirt
“The thing I buy again and I’m a bit obsessed with are button-down shirts. I’m a really weird size, my arms are really long, I’m like a monkey and I’m a little tight in the waist. So once a year I go to Ascot Chang and get my T-shirts made – it’s the best thing ever. They ask you to make four shirts at a time, so I always make two white, one blue and one stripe. I make a wide cross stripe, blue and 300 white singles, which is very fancy, but I like it.”
Phone wallet case
“It’s funny, but I don’t carry a bag anymore. My favorite is my Amazon Phone Case Wallet. It has my credit cards and my keys, and it has changed my life, honestly. Do you know how many times I’ve been locked out? I had keys all over town with all my friends because I kept getting locked out. Then I got a belt from Chaos Club [similar to this one on Amazon]so this is my new bag.”
Vintage jeans
“I’m also a very obsessive shopper of vintage jeans. Vintage Levi’s are all I own; I do not participate in those stretches. I only buy seniors in any color as I’m tall so they fit better.”
False eyelashes
“I don’t have natural lashes, which inspired me to create my own lash brand, LoveSeen, as there was nothing out there that I could really wear. I love wearing them; it’s one of those things where i’m starting to do it more and more. My favorites are definitely Noor, Iris and Cate. Ironically, mascara is the no. 1 purchased in the United States in all beauty, but because I don’t have eyelashes, that’s not even on the table for me.”
The signature scent
“Also, I never leave the house without perfume. My perfume is Creed Silver Mountain Water; I’ve been wearing it forever. I’ve tried to change, but my son won’t let me. I think it was the first fragrance I ever wore, and every time I hugged someone they were like, ‘Oh, you smell so good,’ and somehow it’s become a thing. My son used to spray it on the blanket when he was little.”
• Our editors’ favorite perfumes and fragrances
A facial scrub
“My essential skincare is the Beauty Pie Wonderscrub. I am an avid exfoliator. I’m getting old, so if I don’t exfoliate, my skin looks dull. So I do it all the time – my face and my whole body. It makes an immediate difference.”
• The best facial cleansers, according to experts
Aviator sunglasses
“My glasses are DITA. I did a collaboration with them after wearing the glasses for a while and they are great. I have Flight 009 aviator style.”
• CNN Underscored’s favorite sunglasses for men and women
Shoes, glorious shoes
“I’m not the most loyal shoe person. I love, love, love the Nike x Sacai collaboration. I have almost every sneaker in every color. If you look in my closet, you’ll see a lot of old Celine and Birkenstocks. They are shearling, they are leather, they are suede, they are plastic. They’re in my car, under my bed, on the beach, they’re everywhere.”
• 18 of the most comfortable sneakers for walking
Cute swimwear
“I have a house in Amagansett and I like to garden. I’m a California girl, so I usually do this while wearing a bathing suit – I can’t help myself. I love Left Friday, I have bikinis and they are so cute. And Dos Gardenias, they make the hottest parts, they’re double-layered, so they keep it all in.”
• The best swimwear for women that’s perfect for every body type
