Much like a cool big sister, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is an inspiration both for her powerful speeches and for her ability to rock a bold red lip in Congress [1]. In a YouTube video posted by Vogue [2] on Aug. 21, AOC shared some of her top skin-care tips [3] while discussing the Pink Tax and the negative effects of modern-day beauty standards on the way women are treated in the workplace, and we could listen to her chat all day.
"The key to beauty is feeling beautiful, and no amount of money or makeup can really compensate for loving yourself."
"There's this really false idea that, if you care about makeup or if your interests are in beauty and fashion, that that's somehow frivolous," she explained while sharing her experience as a woman in Washington D.C. "But I actually think that these are some of the most substantive decisions that we make, and we make them every morning . . . If waking up in the morning and doing your makeup gives you life, then that is amazing and you should do it."
AOC went on to say that applying her signature bold red lip helps her to feel put together, while also representing her culture as a Latina woman and giving her a vote of confidence. "I will wear a red lip when I want confidence, when I need a boost of confidence," she said before revealing that her red lip is achieved using Stila's All-Day Shimmer Liquid Lipstick in the colour Beso. Among other products that make her feel courageous is the Tarte Tartelette Flirt Eyeshadow Palette to add a little bit of shimmer to her look.
Oh! And, of course, AOC uses Acure's Organics Rejuvenating SPF Day Cream, Biore's UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence With SPF, and NARS's Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser With SPF 30 on her skin for thorough skin protection. "Don't play games with sunscreen," she said.
But, when it comes to feeling self-assured, AOC made a point of stressing that true beauty is a state of mind. "You cannot get your feelings of confidence from anyone but yourself," she said. "That is one of the most ultimate gifts that you have to give to yourself . . . If I'm going to spend an hour in the morning doing my glam, it's not going to be because I'm afraid of what some Republican photo is going to look like. If I'm going to do an hour doing my glam, it's because I feel like it . . . The key to beauty is feeling beautiful, and no amount of money or makeup can really compensate for loving yourself."
Watch AOC's full beauty routine here to find out all of her favourite beauty products.