The editorial makeup artist who believes in everyday glamour.
Written by LAURA REGENSDORF
“‘Look better, feel better’—I don’t think that’s just some silly quote,” says the makeup artist Porsche Cooper, who divides her time between Los Angeles, Paris, and New York. “I’m so committed, every time I step out the door, to looking like myself.” That means an omnipresent red lip and a calligraphic cat eye, usually done in a few minutes flat. In Cooper’s on-the-go life, including recent press tours with her clients Andra Day and Niecy Nash-Betts, efficiency and glamour go hand in hand.
The Texas native had an early introduction to the performance of beauty. “The women in Dallas love to put themselves together from head to toe,” Cooper says, citing her mother as the definitive inspiration. “She has given me such an appreciation for the art of getting ready for the day.” That inherited wisdom extends to a fundamental love of skin care—because the quality of the canvas affects the artistry on top—and a belief in putting special-occasion niceties to everyday use. “I don't believe in saving it for later,” she says of a philosophy that extends to the gift-worthy picks in her expertly edited BAG. “You should enjoy what you have in the present moment.”
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“One of my favorite host gifts especially around the holidays are candles, and Diptyque’s Baies has such a legendary fragrance of berries and Bulgarian roses. It fills the air beautifully and with great longevity.”
“Combatting dry skin is always a wintertime concern for everyone in my circle, so I’m gifting Commune’s Body Duo. The Body Wash and Body Cream are infused with calming botanicals that nourish the skin without any harsh ingredients. Added bonus: The vessels are chic and reusable.”
“My mom and I first discovered Frédéric Malle’s Portrait of a Lady while shopping in Paris, and I plan on replenishing her favorite fragrance. It holds its notes of Turkish rose, black currant, white musk, and patchouli all day long.”
“I always encourage my friends to use eye patches as part of their daily skin care ritual, not just for special occasions. This offering from Augustinus Bader helps diminish what everyone wants banished—dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines.”
“The Victoria Beckham Eyewear shadow stick adds a touch of glamour in seconds, making it a must-have for anyone on the go. The shade Pecan has become my personal favorite for adding a quick contour to the eyes with little effort.”
“For those in my orbit who are serious about skin care, I’ll gift them La Mer’s Night Recovery Concentrate—it has the most divine texture of anything I’ve ever tried. I’m on my second jar and can attest to a stronger skin barrier and an improvement in my skin’s clarity due to decreased post-blemish marks.”
“I’m obsessed with everything from the extensively researched Agent Nateur line, and the Holi (Mane) supplements with marine collagen and pearl powder bring your hair, skin, and nails back to their most glorious state.”
“Many of my friends are sleep-deprived from constant travel and hectic work schedules, and the Shore Magic Beauty Sleep supplements with magnesium derived from seawater will encourage the deep, rejuvenating kind of sleep we all dream about.”
“For instant gratification to prep the skin before glam, I’ll gift my clients the Augustinus Bader Face Cream Mask. It miraculously depuffs, boosts radiance, brightens, and rehydrates skin in just 20 minutes.”
“What’s a season of gift-giving without a little self-indulgence? I’m obsessed with skin care tools, and the LYMA Laser delivers clinical results at home by penetrating to the base layers of the skin to activate collagen production, diminish pigmentation, firm skin, and promote cellular regeneration.” [Editor’s note: This is not included in the Event, but it’s absolutely a worthy gift to self.]
