Elle.com: Beauty Tell-all: A Visit With Dita Von Teese
The burlesque perfumer, dress and lingerie designer, name behind two fragrances, and all-around icon invited us over for a chat on a recent trip to New York City and revealed her favorite place to go incognito, how she always looks so done up, and her secret for having skin worth baring.
By Taylor Barringer
Past Presence
“I love perfumes of the past,” said Dita Von Teese, who released two fragrances of her own this spring. “Once upon a time, there were perfumes that didn’t smell like little girls and candy and sweetness and vanilla. I mean, Marlene Dietrich would not have worn a perfume that had vanilla in it. And so many celeb scents smell like stripper spray. I’m a stripper and I work in strip clubs, but I don’t want to douse myself in it and smell like one! Some of my favorite perfumes are Quelques Fleurs and Lancôme Magie Noire. Jean Paul Gaultier Classique is also so nice; it smells like makeup.”
Skin Saver
“I don’t go to a fancy dermatologist. In fact, I went to a hotshot doctor once and they completely screwed my skin up and told me I had rosacea. It was terrible. No thank you!” said Von Teese. “I now go to a dermatologist who is just super-cool. He told me to just use what I want. I just started using Éminence. Madonna uses it so, I mean, it must work, right? She’s the standard! I also love to go to the traditional Korean spas; they’re open 24 hours. I’ll go watch some Korean soap operas and get a three-hour facial and a scrub and no one knows me. It’s my favorite thing.”
Face Time
“For primer, I use L’Oréal Revitalift Miracle Blur; it’s a life-changing drugstore product with SPF 30. My favorite concealer is Clé de Peau; it’s totally worth the splurge. For powder, I use the M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish,” said Von Teese of her makeup routine. “I use my own red lipstick from my Art Deco line that is out in Germany. It’s the one I wear the most. But it’s going away in June, so I’ll probably start using more of the Dior Rouge Dolce Vita and Diorific Roulette Red. I also really like the M.A.C Cherry lip pencil.”
Eye Do
“For liquid eyeliner, I use Blacktrack from M.A.C or Guerlain Liquid Eyeliner,” she continued. “I fill my brows in with black powder. Then I love Diorshow Mascara, and I use the Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Mascara with the ball on the end, but just on my bottom lashes.”
Top Secret
“Sunglasses are one of my beauty secrets,” admitted Von Teese. “Powder, red lipstick, and sunglasses. Everyone always thinks I’m so done up, but it’s just the lipstick!”
Making Waves
“I wash my hair three times a week usually, and then use a mask every time I wash my hair. I use the Obliphica purple line. I usually do my own hair for red carpet and my shows. I’m very DIY!” explained Von Teese. “I use hot rollers. I buy a few sets and throw out the big ones and only use the medium and small ones, but I’ll use like 30 of them on my hair. It’s hard not to get crunchy curls. I use a setting spray that doesn’t exist anymore, Ecoly Willow Bark Heat Curling Lotion Spray.”
Lady in Red
“I wear red polish only,” said Von Teese. “I’ve been doing the half-moon mani for 20 years and now it’s so cool, right?”
Finishing Touch
“I love Nuxe oil on my body,” Von Teese revealed. “I discovered it when I was living in Paris. I just love it!”
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