THE CURRENT FIVE #004
Margot Robbie's make-up artist's tips, an instant outfit update, the ultimate immunity boost, Khaite the Great, and a five minute bliss meditation.
MARGOT ROBBIE’S MAKE-UP ARTIST’S TIPS
Make-up artist Pati Dubroff on glowing skin and keeping calm.
I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to talk about make-up artist Pati Dubroff and here it is! Lately, it seems like I can’t make it through a day without thinking of her. Now, this may have something to do with one of her notable clients (eh hem, Margot Robbie) recently starring in and co-producing one of the summer’s biggest blockbuster films. Pati has been the genius behind Robbie’s stunning makeup looks for years and now seems to be deep into Barbie mania. While the recent press tour looks like it’s moving at a breakneck pace, I’m sure Pati is handling it in her effortless way–calm and cool like a Buddah floating on a lotus flower. I’m not being dramatic, she’s really that chill and that cool.. AND is that talented.
When I first met Pati on a cover shoot with Kate Bosworth a million years ago, I totally geeked out. I often fan-girl when I meet hair or make-up artists or photographers that I’ve admired for a long time. This was the case with Pati. I’d seen her name in the credits of so many fashion shoots that I loved and when I saw her name on the call sheet of this cover shoot–I freaked. Fast forward to now - I’ve been blessed with multiple opportunities to work with Pati. Over the years, we’ve bonded over our shared love for yoga, spirituality and wellness.
During lockdown when I was running my IG Live series High Vibe Live, she was one of the first people that came to mind when thinking about who I should interview. I felt the world deserved to learn about all of the spiritual tools she employs to be so calm and to create such beautiful work in high pressure situations. Of course we had to talk about makeup and skin care. I’m not THAT deep. I hope you enjoy our chat.
AN INSTANT OUTFIT UPDATE
A shell necklace to dial up the chic-o-meter on your summer uniform.
I’m totally into shells. Obvi. I’m a beachhead who probably should’ve been a professional surfer (except I don’t surf). Maybe I was one in a previous life. Definitely a guy, probably with blond hair. I’ve spent much of my adult life in the pursuit of an endless summer. I pulled it off pretty well for years, considering I was almost always able to dodge those long, cold East Coast winters by escaping to tropical places as a means to shoot spring and summer looks for magazines. Now I just prefer to keep the house temp at 75 and walk around in shorts and a tank top or workout clothes during the cold months. If that didn’t already give it away, I think most of the time literally anyone can tell I’m from Southern California.
Ok so where was I at. Shells. Yes. Shell necklaces. I still have my original puka shell necklace from when I was a kid and sometimes I still wear it. But not this summer. Right now, I’m really only into one specific kind of sea creature, or at least the shell it was housed in, hanging around my neck. This is the one time of the year where I think shells can always work as an accessory. If you happen to be on a trip where shells are the local gift shop jam, knock yourself out and layer up. You totally get a hall pass.
Guys, since I started writing this (like two days) Renata’s shell following has grown into a small cult! I am having more fomo about this necklace than the fact that they are all together in Ibiza.
If you don’t have the patience to go full DIY like Renata, I’d suggest trying this Julietta one or browsing Etsy. This one’s cute. And if you’re ready to make a life-long commitment to the shell, this Sophie Buhai 18K Gold Nautilus Collar is made of dreams. Wear them with anything. I’m rocking my version with my high summer wardrobe staples–jean shorts, white tank, strapless black dress, white t-shirt, black bathing suit. Rinse. Repeat.
THE ULTIMATE IMMUNITY BOOST
Take this supercharged propolis with vitamin C because temps change and plane flights can make you sick (major vacation bummer).
If you’re traveling by plane anytime soon or ever feel chilled to the bone (like I do) from summer AC, you need these immunity boosting packets in your life. Trust me, these guys are powerful. I’ve been taking immunity boosting supplements since the day I started living out of a suitcase, globe-trotting for photo shoots. I needed something to combat the changing time zones, red-eyes, fashion weeks, and the unending foot-on-the gas feeling that comes with a fashion director role. It’s not really the kind of job you can call in sick for. It’s also pretty uncool to show up super under the weather to a photo shoot, fashion show, or event since everyone is in really close proximity.
The industry has even coined the term “Fashion Flu” to describe the sickness that often shows up during the month-long marathon that is fashion show season. The shows that take place between mid Feb and March are particularly brutal. I may or may not have traipsed through the Tuileries in sandals (with socks at least) and worn spring gear in the snow, dressing for the next season, because I was “so over winter” more than a few times.
To cut a long story short, immunity boosters are a necessity for me. I’ve tempted fate one too many times with my inability to slow down. Still, I’m always on the search to improve my arsenal of wellness soldiers (including glass vials of pure zinc from the pharmacy in Paris) so I don’t have to use a Zpack, which is always with me as back up. Here is my latest find. I also use the Propolis Immune Support Spray when I’m feeling iffy, as well as every time I fly, spraying my throat before and during flights.
I first heard about the virtues of BeeKeepers Naturals products on the To Be Magnetic podcast (another one of my favorite listens). The boosters sounded too good to be true, and I thought my dance card of immunity supplements was full. It took me seeing Carly Kremer’s (BeeKeeper’s Natural Founder) wedding covered in the New York Times Style section to get my attention. *Insert eye-roll here* At least I admit it. She is adorbs and I’ve since become a repeat-user of so many of her products like the Sinus Support, honey, and Royal Jelly Brain fuel. And I’m only getting started. Here’s to getting and keeping your buzz on.
KHAITE THE GREAT
Why Cate Holstein is the Queen of Quiet Luxury.
This is probably more of an alert than it is a news story. By now, you may be just as bored as I am of hearing the ubiquitous term ‘quiet luxury.’ I’m so over it, but I admit, it does put words to a vibe that previously couldn’t be described (at least, clearly). Stylists and alike used to settle for a combination of phrases, terms, and designers to describe the phenomenon. It went something like this, “you know I want to do a story like The Row, Max Mara, wide leg trousers, double faced cashmere, minimal, neutrals, yummy kits, turtle neck sweaters, cozy, camel, ivory, gray, navy, black, blah blah, like a million ply Marc Jacobs sweater. Waffle weave, chic, expensive. I mean, you know.” Yeah. So now we all know. It’s called Quiet Luxury. Why didn’t we think of that? Probably because luxury is an unspoken part of the schtick and usually there's nothing that quiet about fashion. Anyways, I digress.
The newest member and now Queen of the Quiet Luxury tribe is Cate Holstein–the stunning, chic, tasteful, and talented founder and designer of Khaite. She exploded onto fashion’s radar with her jaw-dropping Resort 2019 collection shown in June of that year. It was “the bra that broke the internet” - a thick camel cashmere bra under an insanely yummy postmodern cardigan, though, which propelled Holstein’s brand into pop culture. It all went down on August 27, 2019 when Katie Holmes was papped wearing both while hailing a cab in NYC. I will never part with mine and will wheel it out especially when I want to feel cozy and comfortable yet desire (ok, kind of need) one clothing article to gently inform (read: scream) to those who get it that “yes, I am chic” when the rest of my outfit may be telling a different story.
Oh, and if you haven’t already paid a visit to the sanctuary that is her store on Mercer, I implore you to go. It’s kind of like going to a healing oasis, but instead of spa rooms, it’s filled with the most beautiful, am-I-even-allowed-to-touch-this clothing and shoes that will have you contemplating whether you should forgo food for the rest of the month to purchase.
A FIVE MINUTE BLISS MEDITATION
My yoga teacher’s guided meditation for immediate tranquility.
If you’ve ever wanted to try meditation but have never seemed to get around to it, press play on the video below. You’ll be hooked. If you’re in a crappy mood, press play. If you want a five minute brain break that feels like a warm bath, press play. If you don’t take anything else away from this newsletter, press play.
I would love to introduce you to one of my favorite yoga teachers, who also happens to be a Tony-nominated, Buddhism-practicing, Broadway dancer and actor. She’s so tapped in spiritually and soulfully that one can’t help but be drawn into her magnetic bliss-dom. Craig and I met Karine when she was teaching hot yoga at Modo Yoga on 6th ave right around the corner from my old apartment. We got to know her well when we went on a yoga/surfing retreat that she hosted in Guadeloupe. Next thing you know, we were asking her to perform our marriage ceremony (even though it was something she’d never done before).
At the beginning of the ceremony she invited our guests, in true Karine form, to gently close their eyes, put their hands to their heart, take a big, full, deep breath in, and let it all go with a big open mouth open exhale. It was perfect. I hope you will feel chilled out listening to her luxurious silky voice and letting her delicious French accent guide you into a state of stillness. You can find more @karineplantadit. Namaste y’all.
Before we part, I’ll leave you with this little gem that is one of my best memories of summer so far. In case you needed proof that I was probably a 14 year old surf/skate rat in a previous life (and a total dork now), herewith lies the proof. Legendary Tony Hawk happened to be at camp visiting day (long story), and I actually stood in line with a pack of young campers to get his autograph. Seriously, sometimes even I can’t believe myself.
Until next time.
Shaka Brah
xx TT 🤙
OBSESSED with the shell necklaces. I’ve been carrying around shells and crochet supplies for 2 summers to make similar. I finally got around to it this summer in Bali and finished an anklet but my technique needs a LOT of practice. One of these years I hope to produce something as magical as these!