The Lineup is a monthly series where we’re giving you an inside peek at the beauty lineups of cool fashion people, editors, makeup artists, hairstylists, and estheticians—all the people we trust the most. Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at all the can’t-live-without products that make their worlds go round.
I consider myself to be a nosy person, but that’s only (okay, mostly) the case when it comes to beauty. I love knowing which products everyone is using, which brands I may not know about yet, and the general lineup of everyone’s must-haves because FOMO is real. I just feel an inescapable thrill whenever I get a sneak peek into the vanities of cool people, from the fashion set to hairstylists to makeup artists and everyone in between. But some people in the beauty industry just have a certain je ne sais quoi. Take, for instance, April Gargiulo, the founder of cult skincare brand Vintner’s Daughter.
Yes, she’s the brains behind the serum to end all serums, the cult-favorite Active Botanical Serum ($185), which is also the product that finally balanced out her skin. “I had cystic acne and pigmentation that I constantly battled with until I launched the serum. It’s a miracle for anyone dealing with inflammatory issues like acne, dryness, pigmentation, and rosacea,” Gargiulo says. Formulated with 22 active botanicals, this serum is multi-correctional, performance-driven, and made from the finest ingredients in the world. It’s basically magic packaged in a chic bottle.
If you haven’t picked up on this already, Gargiulo’s beauty philosophy is quality over quantity (which is why her line only has two skincare products and a recent tea collaboration). She believes that the best thing you can do for your skin is to scale back your product assortment. “More products don’t mean better results. It’s a myth perpetuated by an industry that wants you to buy more stuff, not to benefit your skin. It’s better to have four incredibly well-made products than 12 low-quality products,” she explains. “This will not only save you money in the long run, but it will serve your skin and our planet better.”
With this logic in mind, you know Gargiulo’s lineup is good. Keep scrolling to see her go-to makeup and skincare products and tools, from the $20 patches that are basically as good as Botox to the toning device that keeps her skin feeling and looking fresh.
“Formulated from whole plants over the course of three weeks, this is the original all-in-one serum. Even I run out of this sometimes and have a slight panic when I do. There is simply nothing else like it to bring about radiance and balance to the skin.”
“A 7-in-1 hydrating, firming, and brightening step that takes the guesswork out of which actives to use and when. Alongside deep hydration and 70+ nutrients, it delivers micro and mini hyaluronic acid, two kinds of vitamin C, stem cells, probiotics, microalgae, and micro-exfoliators.”
“I rotate cleansers quite a bit, and this is my current favorite. It’s gentle, made from safe ingredients, and gets the job done.”
“I started using this once a week a couple years ago. It’s great for collagen production and addressing inflammation.”
“I have TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), and using this along my jawline feels so good and releases tension. It works especially well after applying Active Botanical Serum.”
“I have used this every day for close to five years to help maintain elasticity in my skin. Like all good skincare, you have to be consistent to see results.”
“This is one of the first at-home cold lasers and helps to build collagen. I use it after applying Active Treatment Essence and Active Botanical Serum.”
“Made in collaboration with the Tea Huntress, this tea is a dream project for me. I love the blend so much for its taste profile and even more for what it does to my skin. Beauty from the inside out. I drink it all day long using this teapot. A beautiful teapot elevates the entire experience for me.”
“Clean, sheer lip balm in universally flattering shades. They just started participating in 1% for the Planet, which I am a big proponent of.”
“I stockpile this and am always so happy when I put a jacket on and find one hidden in the pocket. Linda Rodin, the founder, is an icon of clean beauty.”
“Just launched by one of my very good friends, Michelle Holmes aka The Brow Whisperer, this creates shiny, healthy brows that stay put.”
“I apply this just after the shower to help maintain hydration in my skin and also boost circulation. I love the herbal scent, and it sinks into the skin faster than most body oils.”
“This is a great everyday mascara. It doesn’t smudge, and it’s buildable.”
“There are a growing number of natural perfume brands making beautiful scents, including Hello Ellis Brooklyn, Henry Rose, and Ormaie. But this is one of the originals.”
“My body doesn’t store vitamin D, so I have to take quite a bit each day.”
“This is a game changer for energy levels.”
“These are also nutrients that I don’t store well, so I take this daily.”
“This is one of my favorite products because it works for lips and cheeks and gives that perfect fresh, flushed look. It’s also foolproof, which is critical when it comes to me and makeup.”
“This is wonderful for protecting my hair and giving it an extra dose of shine. I recently discovered it and love it.”
“These are so old school. I wear them at night between my eyes, and they totally work. Low-key Botox.”
