With a love of vintage glamour in all forms imaginable, Kayli Rachelle is both a beauty lover and a makeup artist to the stars—most notably, makeup artist to the breakout star of the year, Obsession's Inde Navarrette. Together, the duo creates looks that feel romantic, soft, glowy, and always flushed with blush. Rachelle's expertise isn't just one note, though. With experience working on everything from Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" music video to Vogue and Allure editorial shoots, her artistry is adaptable. Yet, one "tool" in her kit remains consistent. "I have a few secret staples that I will always keep in my kit, but a facial massage will always be part of my technique," Rachelle says. "It’s the quiet, behind-the-scenes steps that make a huge difference; not just for the makeup, but also for my clients in general. It wakes up the skin, eases tension, and brings out that naturally fresh and sculpted look."
Ahead, we chatted with the up-and-coming makeup artist about the sunscreen she uses as a primer, the fragrance she can't help but keep purchasing, the cleanser that makes self-care feel like a baptism, and more.
The Fragrance You Finish:
Heretic Parfum Scandalwood
"I spend a lot of money on perfumes, but I keep coming back to Scandalwood. It’s my favorite fragrance because it feels less like a perfume and more like an entrance. It has the elegance of a red lip, the confidence of bare skin, and just enough danger to make it unforgettable."
The Lip Product You Finish:
MAC Lip Pencil Creamy Lip Liner in Cool Spice
"'Cool Spice from MAC is my go-to everyday lip liner. It’s soft and sexy, it feels polished, slightly mysterious, and timeless. It's like the lip equivalent of a perfectly tailored black dress. It’s a perfect lip that looks intentional rather than obvious. (But I’ll always love a red lip)."
The Cream Blush You Finish:
VIOLETTE_FR Bisou Cream Blush Stick
"These blush sticks create more of a flush than a traditional blush. Inspired by the Sfumato painting technique, as if the color was coming from within."
The Powder Blush You Finish:
YSL Make Me Blush
"For powder, the YSL Make Me Blush powder is my go-to. The texture is incredibly fine and silky, so I can build the color while keeping the finish soft, fresh, and skin-like."
The Primer You Finish:
Kosas Dreambeam Mineral Sunscreen
"I’m generally anti-primer unless it’s really needed. I love the Kosas DreamBeam sunscreen, and I’ll use it as a primer because it’s smoothing and brightening. It’s also full of skincare and sun protection. I never leave the house without sunscreen on."
The Hair Product You Finish:
Conair Soft Foam Rollers
"My wet set is my favorite step in my hair care routine. I use foam rollers. I’ll sleep in them to prolong my set and bring a little vintage glamour into an everyday ritual. I love knowing that this old school technique creates a style that never really goes out of fashion. It’s polished, feminine, and effortlessly classic. Unfortunately, you do have to teach yourself to sleep like a vampire on a coffin."
The Serum You Finish:
Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Acid Exfoliating & Clearing Serum
"This serum gives my skin a boost, especially when I’m feeling dull—it exfoliates and helps with uneven texture. It makes my skin feel smoother, look brighter, and leaves a fresh, polished glow without my skin feeling overly stripped."
The Moisturizer You Finish:
Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
"I know it’s kind of an insane moisturizer to wear regularly because of how thick it is, but a little goes a long way. It supports the skin barrier and is deeply hydrating. I’m not sure if the French pharmacy has a different formulation than the American market, but I’m convinced they do. I always stock up when I’m in France."
The Cleanser You Finish:
Dieux Baptism Cleanser
"The Dieux Baptism Cleanser is one of those products I keep coming back to. I've gone through three bottles already, and I'm still reaching for it every day. It leaves my skin feeling genuinely clean without that tight, stripped feeling, and somehow manages to make cleansing feel like a little baptism of my own rather than just another step in my routine."
The TV Show You Finish:
IMDB"Six Feet Under is easily one of the best TV series I’ve finished. Every character feels painfully real, and the story stays with you long after you finish the series. It's beautifully written, deeply human, and somehow manages to explore grief, family, love, identity, and mortality with equal parts honesty and dark humor."