Stacey Bendet
The Protocol: Stacey Bendet
Our series featuring the daily routines, expert advice, and beauty tips of industry insiders (read: those who’ve got it down to a science). Because we should all have a Protocol.
You may instantly recognize the inimitable Stacey Bendet by her trademark smoky eye and exuberant personal style. Or perhaps you know her better by Alice + Olivia. Launched in 2002 (with just pants!) and now available in over 50 countries, mainstay for women who want to exude equal parts confidence, femininity, playfulness, and practicality.
As the line’s founder, CEO, and creative director, it goes without saying that Stacey is the brains, vision, and spirit behind the ubiquitous brand. But the New York City-based entrepreneur hasn’t come close to stopping there: The mother of three is also the founder of two other major endeavors: Creatively, a networking platform for people int he creative fields, and #ShareTheMicNow, a campaign to elevate and magnify Black women's voices, and the work they're doing, via predominantly white women's Instagram accounts.
Here, mega-mogul, mom, and activist shares her go-to workout, achieving her signature beauty look, and the only injectables she swears by.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
I love to drink ginger tea and then do my Ashtanga yoga practice.
Describe your morning and evening skincare routines.
In the morning, I clean my skin with cold water and then use my U Beauty SUPER Hydrator as a primer.
Twice a week, I use the TriPollar RF at-home device, followed by dermablading once a week, and a Tatcha clay mask once or twice a week.
For sun protection, I use the Multimodal Defender on my face and neck.
My makeup routine includes a light layer of Too Faced Cosmetics foundation (specifically, the Born This Way product) and a bit of under-eye cream from either Dior or Kevyn Aucoin. As my go-to lip product, I use The PLASMA Lip Compound, which acts as a hydrator and a gloss!
At night, I wash my face with an oil from Enfleurage and then apply The BARRIER Bioactive Treatment and RETURN Eye Concentrate. Some nights, I use an SK mask or Peter Thomas Roth eye gels, and three nights a week, I apply a light Hydroquinone for my freckles.
Additionally, I use the Resurfacing Body Compound three nights a week on my arms and legs—the next morning, my skin feels like silk!
What’s your diet like on a typical day?
I am 95% vegan. For breakfast, I have spinach and broccoli mixed with rice and quinoa every day. It’s incredibly nutritious and keeps me satiated through the day!
Some days, I will have an açaí bowl for lunch and for dinner, I like to have sushi or salad with cooked vegetables. I love ginger juice or ginger tea, too.
What's the last thing you do before you go to bed?
Say goodnight to my beautiful daughters!
Who’s your beauty idol?
Tina Chen Craig because she gives me all of the best skincare advice!
I would say my combination injections of Nucleofill and Profhilo to enhance skin moisture and improve skin texture. I am obsessed!
What’s the best piece of beauty advice you’ve gotten?
Aging gracefully takes effort.
What do you do when you want to reset, regroup, or detox?
I make time for extra yoga, remove alcohol and all sugar from my diet, and make sure I am getting a solid eight hours of sleep! A good night of sleep always provides a great reset!
