Jenna Lyons is a force in the fashion world. The designer and creative dynamo, celebrated for turning J.Crew into one of the most coveted brands in the country, is equally praised for her own style. Classic with a twist, offset by a bold red lip. Now on her own, Lyons has infiltrated the beauty world with the launch of her own lash brand, LoveSeen, and stepped in front of the camera to share her style secrets with her new HBO show, “Stylish with Jenna Lyons.”
CNN Underscored spoke with Lyons to learn about her fashion and beauty essentials.
A red lipstick
“A red lip was something I adopted as I always thought I looked better with a pop of colour. I love old classics like NARS Heat Wave – an orangey red is my shade, and I they like reds and pinks with a yellow undertone.”
• The best lipsticks we’ve tried
Classic shirt
“The thing that I buy repeatedly and I’m a little 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 narrow in the waist. So once I “this year I go to Ascot Chang and make my shirts, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. They ask you to make four shirts at once, so I always make two white, one blue and one striped. I make a wide, blue criss-cross stripe of tip to tip and the 300 white singles, which is very fancy, but I love it.”
Phone wallet case
“It’s fun, 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 got locked up? I had keys all over town with all my friends because I was constantly getting locked out. Then I got a strap from the Chaos Club [similar to this one on Amazon]so this is my new bag.”
Vintage jeans
“I’m also a very obsessive vintage jeans shopper. Vintage Levi’s are all I own; I do not participate in stretching. I only buy seniors in any color as I’m tall so they fit better.”
false eyelashes
“I don’t have natural lashes, which is what inspired me to create my own lash brand, LoveSeen, as there was nothing I could wear. I love wearing them, it’s one of those things where I started doing it more and more. My favorites are definitely Noor, Iris, and Cate. Ironically, mascara is the #1 purchased product in the US in all of beauty, but since I don’t have eyelashes, that’s not even it’s on the table for me.”
Signature scent
“I also 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 scent I ever wore and every time I hugged someone they would say, “Oh, you smell so good,” and somehow that’s become a thing. My son used to spray it on his blanket when he was little.”
• Our editors’ favorite perfumes and scents
A facial scrub
“My skincare essential is Beauty Pie Wonderscrub. I’m an avid exfoliator. I’m getting old, so if I don’t exfoliate, my skin looks dull. So I do it all the time: 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 as I have been wearing their glasses for a while now and they are great. I have Flight 009 aviator style.”
• CNN Underscore’s favorite sunglasses for men and women
Shoes, glorious shoes
“I’m not the most loyal person in footwear. I love, love, love the Nike x Sacai collab. I have almost every sneaker in every color. If you look in my closet, you’ll see a lot of old Celines and Birkenstocks. They are sheepskin, they are leather, they are suede, they are plastic. They’re in my car, under the bed, on the beach, they’re everywhere.”
• 18 of the most comfortable sneakers for walking
Cute bathing suits
“I have a house in Amagansett and I love to garden. I’m a California girl, so I usually do it in my bathing suit – I can’t help myself. I love Left on Friday, I have a bikini and they are so cute. And Two Gardenias, they make the most popular one-pieces, are double-layered, so they hold up to everything.”
• The best swimwear for women perfect for any body type
