My Uniform

Why Simple Makeup Is Just So Chic

Published on: March 30, 2023

It was a little before 7 in the morning on a murky NYC weekday, but people were dressed to the nines: power dresses, power colors, high heels, major jewelry here and there, and plenty of lipstick. What seemed like the entire beauty industry was crammed into the Rainbow Room to find out who’d won what in the annual WWD Beauty Inc Awards (goop, as it turned out, won a Brand of the Year award). In strode Saie founder Laney Crowell looking entirely—and chicly—herself in a fluffy white sweater and sleek white wide-leg pants, with glowy skin, lush lashes, and a sheeny plum lip. As Crowell rose to accept the award for Purposeful Initiative of the Year, her look stood out—yet it kept the focus on Crowell, rather than her clothes.

Mom to a toddler and CEO of a happily growing business, Crowell says her look is pretty consistent. “I like simple, casual, elevated pieces,” she says. “I’d always rather invest in a timeless piece that I can wear for years. I have a set list of favorite designers and colors that I don’t stray too far from, so everything in my closet goes together well—this helps me get ready quickly and still feel put-together effortlessly.”

Skin Secrets

Her approach extends to beauty: “I keep it simple,” she says. “I don’t like a lot of fuss, and I think natural beauty is always the best. In Paris, I learned you don’t have to spend a lot of time on your look to feel good. French women never look like they’re trying too hard, ever. The effortlessness in their beauty routine definitely rubbed off on me.”

Great sleep is where it all starts, according to Crowell: “I find baths to be so restorative, so at night, I light a candle, fill up the bath, add a generous amount of these salts, and read a book for a good 20 minutes. I jump into bed almost immediately afterward, and I always get the best night’s sleep.”

She also folds skin care into her nighttime routine. “First, I wash my face with the cleanser from MARA beauty, then apply a peptide serum for extra suppleness,” she says. “I top it with The Outset serum, then do a hydrating mask and sit with the Dr. Dennis Gross mask on for a few minutes. I always apply a lip mask before bed, and right now I’m loving the ILIA one.”

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The Ultimate No-Makeup Makeup Routine

Crowell’s focus on skin continues in the mornings with her own Saie formulas. “They’re packed with skin-care ingredients,” she explains. “I start my day with Slip Tint all over, then warm up my face with Sun Melt and Dew Blush and finish with a few swipes of Mascara 101 and Lip Blur in Modern. From start to finish it takes me about two minutes.”

Foolproof Outfits

Getting dressed involves a similarly straightforward approach. “I love outfits I feel really comfortable in but that are still stylish, like vintage Levi’s, a grey or navy men’s Ralph Lauren sweater, and ballet flats or sneakers. If it’s chilly, I’ll throw a Toteme camel jacket over,” says Crowell. “For night, right now, I’m really into super-wide-leg pants, a tight bodysuit, and a simple pair of Manolos or Khaite sandals. I recently got an oversize soft-white Dries Van Noten blazer that I’ve been wearing over Nili Lotan jeans or a black silk slip skirt.”

She May Be a Clean Makeup Mogul, but Her Hair Is Amazing

“I have naturally thick hair and I like to keep it long, so I spend a lot of time making sure it’s hydrated and conditioned,” says Crowell. “I love to use Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil the night before wash day, paired with a nice scalp massage. It feels amazing. The next day, I wash my hair, and instead of a normal conditioner, I use a hair mask to help retain moisture and enhance shine, wrapping my hair up in a bun and letting it sit for a while. Then I do an ‘everything shower,’ where I exfoliate, shave my legs, etc. Afterward, I wrap my hair up in the Crown Affair towel—it’s so soft and gentle on my hair. Last, I apply the Crown Affair hair oil on my ends.”
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