Allure: The most important beauty tip you’ve ever received is…
Rae: Honestly, this is something that everyone knows, but just as a lazy person, not sleeping in makeup and not flying with makeup on. Joanna Simkin, my makeup artist, does a ‘Bare in the Air’ campaign just to make sure that people know how unhealthy it is to fly with makeup on your face. I don’t always follow the rules, but I know that it’s bad for you.
[Editor’s note: Bare in the Air is an unofficial social campaign that Simkin started “to make sure everybody was taking proper care of their skin while traveling,” according to Simkin. The makeup artist adds that she is “working on some TSA-approved goodies people can pack in their carry-ons to continue to love their skin in flight.”
Allure: How have you kept your hair so healthy all these years?
Rae: I was not taking care of my hair for a while because I didn’t know how to. Getting involved with Sienna Naturals and understanding the root of hair health has helped me. Working with [hair stylist] Felicia Leatherwood has helped too — she has very close, intimate access to my scalp.
It’s just letting my hair rest a lot, too, when I can. Sometimes, that means I’m not seeing anybody. Sometimes, that means I am camera off on Zoom so that I can make sure that my hair is out and free and moisturized without having to coif it or put it in a tight ponytail or bun.
Allure: What’s your favorite part of getting ready?
Rae: Doing my face. I like to keep a clean face with lip, mascara, and tinting my eyebrows, and glasses. That is my uniform. It makes me happy to be barefaced.
Allure: What’s your least favorite part of getting ready?
Rae: Sometimes doing my hair, because I’m so meticulous. It’s a process.
Allure: How would you describe the signature Issa Rae look?
Rae: In addition to a bare face and glasses, a high bun, T-shirt, jeans, and Chucks.
Allure: What’s your favorite part of your face?
Rae: That’s so funny, I’ve never thought about that but…..my smile.