Jessica Matlin

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How does Jessica Matlin, Beauty Editor and co-founder of Fat Mascara podcast, wind down on a Sunday night? With the help of candles, her must-have Kiehl’s cream and her pet cat Janetta, of course…

The Wind Down

I always start winding down at around 9 or 10pm which I know is way too late, but I always feel desperate to extend the weekend. I don’t think there is a soul on earth who wouldn’t vote for a three-day weekend. I’ll usually light candles (Diptyque is my favourite; Roses, Violette, Feuille de Lavande and Musc are the best) while listening to a podcast such as Pop Fashion, Call Your Girlfriend or WTF with Marc Maron. My best-case scenario on a Sunday night would be to do something fun with my fiancé, but this doesn’t always happen.

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The worst-case scenario would see me wading through emails and work projects which I’ve wanted to get a jump on for the week ahead. One of my former bosses, who is a powerful mentor to me, told me that preparation is half the battle. As a writer and podcaster, so much of my work is deadline-driven, so there is no room for surprises; whether it’s writing an article for Allure (where I regularly contribute) or coming up with questions for our next Fat Mascara guest, everything adheres to a strict schedule. Sometimes I’ll have a special event to go to in the week, so I make sure everything is dry-cleaned or pressed for that too. As for food prep, I am dying to be one of those people who does a big shop on Sundays — maybe even “batch cooks”— but that just isn’t me (yet). I’d rather sleep, watch TV, or mask!

The first time I heard the term “Sunday scaries”, I laughed because it’s so on point; there is always that anxiety of the work-week ahead. But if I plan my Sunday night well enough, then it can actually be kind of relaxing.

The Routine

As a beauty editor and podcaster, my job requires me to try a lot of products. However, there are a handful that I come back to again and again because they work for me, and I need to keep a tight edit of products; I live in a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan so efficiency is the name of the game! I do expect quite a lot out of my routine though. I want smoother, dewier skin, eyes that don’t look as tired and sunken and hair that looks silky and de-frizzed. In a few minutes, I want to come out of the bathroom looking saner, more polished, and put together. I want order! But more importantly—really—I just want to feel pampered – nice products can do that.

I begin my skincare routine by cleansing with the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil; it washes away my mascara easily before I dry my face. I’ve gotten better about taking care of my towels, and huge part of that is not getting carelessly getting makeup on them! I then use the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Peel pads, which are iconic. Used regularly, they keep my skin looking fresh and glowy – and the best part is, they don’t sting. For moisturising, I love the Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream – I couldn’t live without this product. I have been using it on and off for nearly five years, and it makes a huge difference in my skin, making it brighter and more even. I also really like the Clark’s Botanicals Age Defying Radiance Cream; it’s great for when I need a little boost. There’s a ton of vitamin C in it, plus some other magic that just gives my skin a bit of life.

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My skin type is dry to combination (especially dry in the winter) so I like to use moisture masks, which I don’t tissue off and just leave on like a moisturiser. I also use a lot of oils; Chantecaille Rose de Mai and Darphin’s face oils are particularly great. I actually pat them over my moisturiser for an extra hit of hydration. I often use masks and while I have one on, I’ll usually be on the couch, replying to Fat Mascara listener emails or Instagram DMs – I’m certainly not one to sit there and twiddle my thumbs. Right now, I’m loving the Caudalie Instant Detox Mask; a facialist recently used it on me during a treatment and it was heaven.

I’m definitely a shower person, and I take a little longer in there on a Sunday evening. I love a luxurious bar of soap like the ones by Malin + Goetz – I particularly like the peppermint one, because it makes me feel so clean and zesty. For my hair, I will use the Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner; I like to wash with this every Sunday to start the week with fresh hair. After I’ve showered, I pluck my brows with Tweezerman Slant Tweezers and use Diptyque’s Satin Oil for Body and Hair. It’s light and not gloopy and is one of the best oils I have ever tried on my body. I love to then slip into a pair of PJs from Liberty; next to beauty, PJs are my other passion!

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Bedtime

I like to drink a cup of chamomile tea while watching TV in bed and pet my cat Janetta before going to sleep. I’ll often use a pillow spray on my bedding such as the This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray. Pillow sprays make me feel like I am in a hotel – I love them! Before turning off the lights at around 11.45pm, I’ll apply some Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve and the By Terry Baume De Rose Lip Care. Ideally, I need 8 hours sleep, but do I always get it? No! I am a very heavy sleeper though, and I dream a lot.

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janetta

Monday Morning

My alarm will go off between 7.45 and 8am on Monday morning. I’m definitely a snoozer, but I do generally feel like I am ready to get a jump on things when I get up. I like to start my day by petting Janetta again before heading to the bathroom to start my routine. I’ll also have a podcast ready – at this time in the morning it’s usually The Daily from The New York Times, which is only around 15-minutes long and highlights the top story of the day.

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