At Milk Makeup, we believe it’s not just how you create your look; it’s what you do in it that matters. That’s what our motto Live Your Look is all about. It means forgetting the rules. Having the freedom to show up as you every day, whether that’s with graphic liner or a glossed lip. Being seen and celebrated for living your truth. And there's no better way for us to show what that looks like than passing the mic to our Milk Fam.
In this series, we're opening it up to our community to share their inspirations, self-expression, beauty routines, and so much more. Get to know the faces behind our campaigns who are as inspiring off camera as they are on. This week, we're getting to know Brenda, who starred in our Sculpt Stick campaign. Find out a little bit more about the always-busy model, makeup artist, yoga instructor, and mom of two.
Things in Brenda’s life tend to come in pairs. Her two children. Her equally intense passion for work and her personal life. Cats and dogs. (Her roommate has both, although the cat has staked its territory in Brenda’s room.)
“The cat lives in my room, so everyone’s like, it’s your cat!” she says.
Our working theory: It might have something to do with her astrological placements. “I’m a Virgo sun and Aquarius rising,” she says on-set of our Sculpt Stick shoot. “They reflect my personality very much. I scream Virgo but as I get older, I feel like the Aquarius rising in me is a bit more rebellious and spontaneous with life.” Her two contrasting placements push and pull throughout our interview. At one point, she tries to make a detailed plan for her perfectly spontaneous day before realizing it sums up her Virgo vs. Aquarius battle in a nutshell. The contrasts even continue through her choice of beverage. Water on one hand, but also beer. Specifically, the one by Goose Island called Tropical Bear Hug with the “cute little bear on it.”
The one surprising thing her two star signs agree on? The best use of a one-way ticket, which she instantly decides is to the afterlife. “Not Italy or something because I might not like it there,” she says assuredly. “I need to go somewhere that I know it’s gonna be alright.”
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Below, get to know Brenda’s thoughts on the best contour products, personal style, and hikes you should try if you’re prepared to vomit from great heights. How would you describe your personal style?I would say my personal style is somewhat minimalist, but I do love an edginess—edgy streetwear minimalist. I don't do bright colors unless it's sneakers. I love sneakers all day. I have like 30 pairs of Jordans. I never wore sneakers before I moved to New York, but now for me to wear heels, it’s like,oh my God! What’s your daily relationship with beauty?I try to keep it as simple as possible. I love clean beauty, natural beauty. I love to just enhance what’s already there. You starred in our shoot for Sculpt Stick! What do you think of the launch?I don't feel them on, to the point that I have to remind myself I’m even wearing them. It looks completely natural. I was actually staring at myself thinking, “I need to add these to my makeup kit for sure.” They’re amazing. I even have it on my lips with Electric Glossy Lip Plumper in Charged over the top. Normally, I feel like brown lipstick ages me, but I was like, oh I’d rock this, I’d wear this right out. I love the cool tones because it looks more natural, like a natural shadow. And I love how convenient they are. You swipe it on, blend it in. |
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If you could have a one-way ticket anywhere, where would you go?This is gonna sound morbid, but the afterlife. Because I'm like, what's going on? The body's gone but the spirit remains. We’re gonna go to the next life! Not Italy or something because I might not like it there. I need to go somewhere that I know it’s gonna be alright. How do you #LiveYourLook?In a way that's super comfortable. Comfort comes first for me. Baggy jeans, sneakers, maybe a cute top. My hair is usually pretty natural and I keep it curly for the most part. I don't like to feel my makeup. Brows always have to be on point. A little concealer, very clean skin, gloss, some mascara on. I let it be as minimal as possible. Just being comfortable and natural. What music are you currently listening to on repeat?Beyoncé’sRenaissance. I'm trying to switch over, but I'll listen to one thing and then I'll go right back to that album and play it on repeat. “Plastic Off the Sofa” is my favorite, favorite, favorite track. “All Up in Your Mind” is very sexy. And then “Alien Superstar” because I'm an alien. It’s so sexy, she’s taken over. |
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What would your dream day look like?In a perfect world, I’m waking up, making breakfast for my kids. And then we're planning—wait, we’re not planning a spontaneous day. We can’t do that! See? The Virgo and the Aquarius. I shoot off to one of the jobs that I love to do for a few hours. I'm a yoga instructor and makeup artist as well, which I love doing. Then come back, take the kids to a movie, come home, cook some dinner, and just hang out. What’s your favorite hobby?I really love to be in nature. I love to hike—I’ll usually go up to Cold Spring. But my favorite hike is Breakneck Ridge, which kicks my butt. It’s a favorite because it's so challenging. It’s kind of extreme. I had a friend who did it with a hangover, and well, he threw up. We weren't even halfway through! It's tough. Are there any projects you’re working on that you want to share with our Milk Fam?Right now, I'm working as a makeup artist on Charlamagne tha God’s show on Comedy Central,Hell of a Week. I’m trying to get an app together for my yoga instruction. Somebody wants me to create my own app, we’ll see about that. And then I get to do jobs like this! |
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If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
That I could eat whatever I want in my life and look the same. It's super hard between teleportation and being able to have a perfectly healthy body. But I'm gonna say having a perfectly healthy body, no matter what. I'll take the train. I don't need teleportation
Follow Brenda on Instagram @br.rc_.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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