If you’re like us, you’ve probably wondered what everyday stuff famous people add to their carts — like hair spray or an electric toothbrush. We asked accessories designer Jennifer Behr about the mechanical pencils, sourdough bread, and mascara she can’t live without.
Some people are so particular about the perfect pen. I am not. I write in pencil. I think that comes from my work designing and drawing. I like the process of erasing, which sounds weird, but being able to change your mind is important. I don’t love that these pencils are disposable and not refillable. They’re not fancy. But I always buy the largest box that I can and then just work my way through it, and I always buy them in yellow. I have them stashed in my kitchen cabinets, on my desk at work, on my desk at home, in my bag.
Paul Kempisty is my acupuncturist. He has famous clients like Gwyneth Paltrow, and has his own herbal line called Peekay’s. I live by so many of the tonics — I’m like an evangelist; I write these down for everybody. Wake the Dead is great for general energy. Last year, when I started getting hot flashes, being of a certain age, he told me to start taking Chaste Berry and Let’s Make a Baby — which is the opposite of menopause — for hormonal support. I take the two of those mixed together, and after taking them every day for probably about three weeks, my hot flashes went away. Now, I also add in the Wake the Dead to the same morning concoction. I’ll take a teaspoon of each in hot water as my morning tea while I’m getting ready. It’s bitter, but you get used to it.
So, my friend, who does beautiful illustrations, started this business on the side, and I first bought the oil to support her, but then actually ended up addicted to it. There’s bergamot, orange, lavender, and jasmine in there. I know she’s so intentional about everything that goes into it. It’s floral without being flowery. Unlike most body oils that are a little cheap smelling, this has an elegant scent. I would use it in lieu of a cream. I sometimes put it on before I go to bed, because there’s something about having that scent while you’re sleeping. I’ll spray rose water on a pillow too to set the tone for a nice night’s sleep.
I went gluten-free about three years ago, and this is the best gluten-free bread I’ve ever had. The biggest thing about going gluten-free is the lack of good bread. Most breads out there are just stripped of everything. But Sarah Magid’s — the owner of Knead Love — are all hand-milled, nutrient dense, and actually heavy when you go to pick a loaf up because of the seeds. The bread is a sourdough but with different flavors: cinnamon raisin, rye-not, sesame. I love the nutty, which has all sorts of nuts: almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios. I’ve been known to take some to Paris, where there’s very little gluten-free bread. I come through Charles de Gaulle with a bag of this. I always have to have a few slices — at least — to get me through the first days of Fashion Week.
I have, as makeup artists have told me, oily eyelids. I’ve tried every highly recommended mascara — Dior, Lancôme, Maybelline. All the ones that everybody’s like, This is the best mascara. Jones Road has the only one that doesn’t end up smudged under my eyes. It’s big on volume, in that you can layer it to get the effect you want. If you clean the brush a little more, you can imagine something delicate, but I actually really like a clumpy look. I don’t wear a lot of eye makeup, so I rely on my mascara — I clump this on just enough so that it doesn’t get super-clumpy.
I’m five-eleven. I never have to get pants hemmed because I’m so tall. It’s more about finding pants that are long enough on me. Dries Van Noten makes ones that fit me. I generally buy whatever I can every season that’s in my size. I have, over the years, gotten some that are basic, like in cotton twill. I have a pair made from a gorgeous silk brocade. It doesn’t matter what I put them on with, they work. Everything I’ve ever bought from the brand I’ve worn forever. There’s never been a point that I’ve been like, This isn’t relevant anymore. It’s always cool.
Like a lot of New Yorkers, I walk a lot. I need to be comfortable, but I just can’t do orthopedic. I have a bunch of Tibi’s low-heeled shoes. I’m often looking for a heel that’s manageable. Some shoes, the heel isn’t in the right place. This is a well-designed shoe. The ankle strap makes it comfortable. It keeps them on your foot. These change every season. I have them in red, black, and a pale lavender.
So, we might be known for our headbands, which is what we started with, but I would say that I wear a pair of our earrings every day. They’re a way to bring a lot of light to the face.
I go for a large earring — it’s something that has a little drama. You can change the look of an outfit with the right earrings easily, even a white T-shirt and jeans. It’s one of those things that I get complimented on the most. Because what you’re wearing around your face is really what people see. The Vania is one of my favorites; with all the multicolored crystals, you can wear it with so many things.
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