GQ Magazine UK | Photographed by Charlie Engman
From indie pop star to Valentino Beauty ambassador, Charli XCX has carved out a distinctive beauty identity that merges 90s nostalgia with modern edge. The Essex native, who rose to prominence through early hits like "Von Dutch" and "360", has maintained her signature aesthetic while evolving beyond her MySpace origins.
The Valentino Chapter
Valentino Beauty recently named Charli XCX as their newest ambassador, coinciding with the release of their Spike Valentino Buttery Matte Lip Color collection. The line features twelve shades housed in gold-studded metal cases—a design nod to the house's iconic Rockstud bags. During her current Sweat Tour with Troye Sivan, Charli wears the deep berry red shade "It's Valentino Baby", paired with Colorgraph Eyeliner in Rockstud Noir.
Skincare Evolution
At 31, Charli's approach to skincare emerged from necessity rather than tradition. After dealing with adult acne in her mid-twenties, she developed a focused routine that prioritizes effectiveness over complexity:
- Cleanser: Ole Henriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser
- Toner: Dr. Jart+ Cleansing Toner applied with reusable pads
- Eye Care: Barbara Sturm eye moisturizer
- Serum: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright vitamin C serum
- Moisturizer: Alternates between Crème de La Mer and Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
- Sun Protection: Algenist Sublime Defense Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF50
- Final Touch: Caudalie Beauty Elixir Mist
For post-party recovery, she turns to sheet masks from Patchology and 111Skin.
Makeup Philosophy: Studied Imperfection
The focal point of Charli's makeup is her signature smudged cat eye, an elevated take on the emo aesthetic she admired in her teenage years. She creates this look using either Valentino Beauty's Colograph Eyeliner in Rockstar Noir or Charlotte Tilbury's Rock 'N' Kohl Eye Pencil.
Her technique includes:
- Deliberately skipping under-eye concealer
- Using Pat McGrath Labs Eyedols Eye Shadow
- Finishing with Charlotte Tilbury's Legendary Lashes Volume 2 mascara
For a lived-in lip look, she combines:
- Glossier Generation G Sheer Matte Lipstick
- Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in So 90s
- Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask as a finishing touch
Natural Hair Journey
"I think it took me a long time to accept my curls," Charli told Allure Magazine. Today, she embraces her natural texture with minimal intervention. Her routine consists of air-drying and occasional deep conditioning with Kérastase Nutritive 8HR Magic Night Hair Serum, with professional maintenance by hairstylist Matt Benns.
Signature Scent
Charli's fragrance of choice is Byredo's Bibliothèque, a composition that layers peach and plum notes over violet and peony, grounded by leather, vanilla, and patchouli base notes. The perfume holds personal significance—she shares it with her boyfriend and uses it as a connection point during tours.
This mix of high-end and accessible products reflects Charli's broader aesthetic: one that combines luxury with authenticity, appealing to a generation that values individual expression over prescribed beauty standards.
Kristin Kaye
Insatiably curious about human expression, she immerses herself in literature, theater, art, and dance. Her academic journey led to degrees in Modern Literature, where she delved into The Furioso, and Historical Sciences with a focus on Contemporary History. Her studies took her to the prestigious Erasmus University Rotterdam, broadening her international perspective.
Her passion for culture isn't confined to personal enjoyment—it spills onto the pages of various publications. There, she explores not only artistic endeavors but also civil rights issues and the myriad ways human culture manifests itself. For her, writing about these topics isn't just a profession; it's an irresistible calling that stems from her deep-seated fascination with the human experience.