Rachel Solomon
Associate Creative Director, Rue La LaRachel Solomon is the uber-creative associate creative director for members-only shopping site Rue La La—and though her job focuses mainly on fashion, she is also equipped with some of the best beauty tips of any of our spotlighters so far. Fashion and beauty were always Rachel’s passions, but the route she took was anything but direct. She has been a lawyer, freelance writer, publicist, beauty editor, and she even published a novel—all before landing at Rue La La, where she’s been since the site’s founding. She’s also a wife, and mom to a nine-year-old son, and working on another manuscript. Turns out, we could fill our own manuscript with all the beauty advice Rachel gave us, but instead we’ll give you one favorite tip: “Be nice to yourself,” Rachel says. “I’m not into starving myself, wearing clothes that hurt, dieting down to the size I was whenever, etc.” Oh yeah, and Blondes have more fun. Forget Marilyn, read on for more from our new favorite blonde.
BEAUTY MUST-HAVES>> scent: MISAKI/MISAKI // moisturizer: CETAPHIL // concealer: REVLON COLOR STAY BLEMISH CONCEALER and MAYBELLINE INSTANT AGE REWIND THE ERASER DARK CIRCLES // mascara: NONE! FALSE EYELASHES, but when I get dressed up, REVITALASH VOLUMIZING MASCARA // lipgloss: NARS SUPER ORGASM // nails: GEL MANICURE IN LIGHT PINK (and light on the toes, toes aren’t so cute that I want to draw attention there) // primer: LAURA GELLER SPACKLE TINTED UNDER-MAKEUP PRIMER IN BRONZE // since-you-can’t-shower-the-day-you-get-your-brows-done: KLORANE DRY SHAMPOO and GOODY NO-PULL RUBBER BANDS // since-I-only-have-20-minutes-to-get-ready: MIMI’S DIVA DRYER HAIR DRYING TOWEL
Q: Working at Rue La La, you’re so immersed in fashion; how would you describe your personal style?
A: I don’t have the discipline for a highly-defined style; I’m about dressing for my mood. I gravitate toward cheerful pieces—prints, color, full skirts. I like big statements: lots of jewelry, big cuffs, huge platforms. And I like feminine looks.
Q: Dish it, sister: Favorite places to shop?
A: I shop at Rue La La, the Closet (consignment), eBay, and Saks (I love their Fifth Avenue Club personal shopping services for splurging).
Q: You say you don’t have a defined sense of style (although we find that hard to believe!). Do you have a fashion icon?
A: Eva Mendes: I love her modern take on 50s style, and I admire her discipline—she has a well-defined look, owns it, and sticks to it. My guilty pleasure icon is Kim Kardashian. The blazer-and-denim Kim, not the plunging neckline one.
Q: What fashion or beauty items are obsessed with right now?
A: A huge amber colored, multi-strand necklace [that I got] from a consignment shop. It gives shape to tent-y dresses and covers cleavage at the office. Also gold gel eyeshadow and anything Hermès. Always.
Q: How about items you’re still searching for?
A: Oversized work bags with a messenger strap, the perfect T-shirt, a pop of color via shoe or clutch, and a reasonably priced Kelly bag (sigh).
Q: What is your non-fashion-related splurge?
A: A personal trainer, Dom Gunn, who comes to the house: twice a week for me, and twice a week for the Mr.
SEE MORE OF RACHEL AT RUELALA.COM/INVITE/STYLEEDITOR.