SECRETS FROM THE VAULT WITH CAILIN RUSSO
ON INDULGENCE & CONNECTION
1. What are your beauty holy grails?
One holy grail of mine that I hardly invest in, but it is sweet, sweet honey to me, is Living Libations Best Skin Ever. I think it's the promised land of moisture and cleansing, and it smells like God's kiss.
2. What are your turn-ons and turn-offs?
My turn ons are therapy and self worth. That's the only thing on my mind at the moment.
3. What’s your go-to routine on maintenance day?
Most of my maintenance is at night, but during the day I cleanse my face with either Farmacy Green Clean or the Humanrace Rice Cleanser (that gives me more of an exfoliant experience). Then I actually use Futurewise's Slug Spray and Slugging Cream (not the lotion, it's too light for me), and I also apply Mario Badescu sunscreen before the slug cream so it all sits in there. If I could, I would be using Libations whole day set or Tata Harper's set as well — both are divine for the skin.
4. What are you currently listening to?
Ah, I'm across the board with this. I just got very into Ryan Beatty's album Calico, alongside this audiobook called Fierce Intimacy by Terry Real. And a playlist I put together — here's a link.
5. What brand partnership have you denied and why? 2025 is the year of transparency… so dish.
I wish it was Spotify — between splits between collaborators and the below-minimum payments ($.003 to .005 per stream, divided by songwriters, producers, mixers, and the artist). I am not currently able to survive off streaming revenue alone at all. Being independent also means paying a lot out of my pocket, so I wouldn't say that I've denied working with the hand that barely feeds me, but I would like to use this space to air this out.
6. What was your first memory of GBY?
I think my first memory with GBY was with both of the girls (Kendra and Courtney), and I came in for a Brazilian at the Sunset location. It was such a cute store — I felt like I was in the most put-together woman's house in Silver Lake. All the stuff to fulfill self love right in one place. It was such a funny experience. I had met Courtney once before at a party and she had the most interesting back stories. I came into the shop shortly after and learned very quickly that both Kendra and Courtney are two of the most hilarious, unpredictable, smartest bitches I've ever met and have done the beauty industry such a service by existing.
7. What do you love to hate online?
A lot of things. I'm quite a hater. Kiss kiss.
Shop Cailin’s picks!
Stay tuned for more exclusive interviews in our Ten Years of GBY Blog Series, where we dish out beauty secrets our most loyal clients. Want Bailey’s effortless maintenance day routine? Book an appointment at GBY Beauty in New York or Los Angeles.
We earn a commission on qualifying purchases through our affiliate links.