Los Angeles-based actress and style blogger, Grasie Mercedes, is someone we unabashedly love to learn from—especially when it comes to beauty. The fresh-faced Dominican has a lovely way of strutting her stuff that inspires us to put a little extra thought into our beauty routines, both day and night. And lucky for both of us, Grasie is sharing her regimen with us below, including a laundry list of beauty products that we can’t wait to try out!
A.M.:
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in morning?
Get lots of kisses from my dog, Hayden, and maybe one from my husband if he didn’t wake up before me to go work out. Then I check my phone.
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee! I love coffee and usually start my day with a cup of Starbucks brew that I make at home. I use Califia Almondmilk in it or regular whole milk.
Run us through your morning beauty routine! What skincare and beauty products do you typically use?
I wash my face with Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser, then use Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 mixed with a couple pumps of Kiehl’s ‘Powerful-Strength’ Line-Reducing Concentrate.
What are your favorite hair products?
I love DevaCurl No-Poo Zero Lather Conditioning Cleanser and One Condition Ultra Creamy Daily Conditioner, and then I use Carol’s Daughter Sacred Tiare Anti-Breakage & Anti-Frizz Leave-In Conditioner and Hair Milk Original Leave-In Moisturizer and/or DevaCurl No-Comb Detangling Spray. For deep conditioning, I love a hair mask of just raw, organic coconut oil.
How long does it usually take you to get ready in the morning?
Depends on if I’m washing my hair or not and if I need to put on makeup. It can be as quick as 15 minutes or as long as an hour and a half. Washing my hair takes 30 minutes because I have so much of it and curls take time to detangle, then it takes at least an hour for it to dry naturally. If my hair is blown out, then I get ready super quick!
If you had to run out the door wearing only two beauty products, what would they be?
Mascara and blush! Both really make you look awake.
Do you have a go-to makeup look and hair-do for when you go on auditions?
Yes! For makeup, it’s a natural look that seems like I’m not wearing makeup, but in fact I have a good amount on. I use MAC Pro Longwear Concealer then BareMinerals pressed powder. I fill in my eyebrows with a palette from Smashbox, then use a blush combo from NARS, mascara from Benefit Cosmetics and a pretty nude-ish lipstick from Stila. To seal it all in, I use Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder. For my hair, I usually wear it back and away from my face unless the role calls for hair down or natural hair, etc.
We all experience the “closet full of clothes and nothing to wear” conundrum. When you’re in a rush or don’t know what to wear, what’s your go-to outfit that always makes you feel good and put together?
My go-to outfit is a pair of high-waisted dark denim skinny jeans or high-waisted vintage skinny jeans in lighter denim, a classic top in white or a stripe, a leather motorcycle jacket and a great pair of pumps or oxfords.
What do you normally eat for breakfast to fuel up for a busy day?
I’m the worst at eating breakfast unless it’s a totally-bad-for-you weekend brunch situation. I’m just not very hungry first thing in the morning, but when I know I have a busy day ahead, I make myself eat. That usually includes a green smoothie (made of almond milk, rice protein powder, spinach, almond butter and frozen strawberries), scrambled eggs and toast, or quinoa porridge topped with raisins, nuts, coconut flakes and bananas.
What products do you keep in your purse when you need to do touch-ups on the go?
MAC concealer, NARS blush and Stila lipstick.
P.M.:
When you aren’t at events or traveling, what does a typical evening look like for you at home?
There is nothing my husband and I enjoy more than a great meal at a great restaurant. Our second favorite thing is to order Postmates, make cocktails and watch TV together. Basically, if you give us food and drinks, we’re happy!
What’s your go-to easy weekday meal to make?
Veggie pasta! I sauté broccoli, zucchini and mushrooms with garlic, red onions and EVOO, then add spinach at the very end. Combine that with RAO’s spicy marinara sauce and mix it all up with some penne for a delicious, quick and healthy meal! Oh, and topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese, of course!
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
A long walk with my dog, then watching TV from the couch.
Let’s talk evening beauty! What is the last thing you do before bed?
At night, I use makeup remover wipes from CVS to wipe off my face before washing. Then, I wash with bareMinerals Pure Plush Gentle Deep Cleansing Foam, then follow with bareMinerals Butter Drench Restorative Rich Cream and a couple of drops of Kiehl’s ‘Midnight Recovery’ Concentrate. On nights I’m feeling extra dry from the weather or travel, I lather on coconut oil, too. The last thing I do before bed is take a multivitamin with water and kiss my husband and dog goodnight.