My Uniform
Chic Bangs, Neutrals for Glowing Skin, and a Great Suit: Style Secrets from One of Gwyneth’s Favorite Designers
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It’s all style to Brigette Romanek. The top LA interior designer started as a singer with record deals and sold-out shows, transitioned to handbag designer (her much-obsessed-over bags started as Christmas presents for friends and ended up in stores like Barneys New York), and then fell into her forever love and biggest success story, interior design. (She held a sample sale for her bags at her home, customers demanded to know who her designer was, and the rest is history—Romanek Design Studio has made Architectural Digest’s AD 100 for five years running, and she’s been on ELLE Decor’s A-List and the 1stDibs 50 list, too.)
Romanek describes her personal style—in interiors, fashion, and even her beauty look—as classic, with a bit of whimsy thrown in. “It’s changed over the years for sure, and I’d like to forget my neon-jacket moment, but it’s ingrained in my brain,” she laughs. “I don’t really have style rules I live by. It’s just knowing yourself and feeling confident in what you wear.”
Neon aside, her color sense is legendary. “I think pinks, browns, creams, and tans are all neutral when they’re the right shade—and whether in interiors, fashion, or beauty, I love neutrals,” she says. “Depending on the undertone of the shade, they make you glow and can bring out the best in your skin.”
One of her favorite neutrals at the moment is the sheer Garnet shade of goop lip balm. “All of the shades work for me because the color is more of a wash than a hard color,” she says. “The trio is actually a problem in my house because if I don’t hide it, my girls will take it. No joke! It’s perfect during the colder months when your lips need extra moisture, and Garnet adds a subtle tint that’s so natural and beautiful.”
Beyond that pop of neutral color, Romanek keeps the focus on her skin. “Makeup is just concealer, eyeliner, and the goop lip balm,” she says. “I need a simple, powerful routine that keeps up with how much I move around throughout the day—moving furniture, running up and down stairs, or working with my team. I don’t want to have to reapply all day or deal with anything fussy.”
Her Essentials For Face
Face oil and eye cream—very particular, special ones—are Romanek’s simple but effective formula for amazing-looking skin.
Her Minimalist Hair and Body Routine
Romanek boils these categories down to the essentials. “As long as my bangs are on point, my hair’s good to go,” she says. “I use this detangler brush for brushing through postshower hair—it glides through knots and tangles effortlessly. Not to mention it comes in a cute millennial pink.”
Her Foolproof Outfit
While Romanek doesn’t live by rules, she knows what she likes. “I love a good suit,” she says. “I know they’re in right now, but I’ve been loving them for years.”
Her Approach to Home Design
Romanek applies the same ethos to interiors, whether she’s helping Gwyneth outfit her new home or decorating her own. “You have to be true to yourself,” she says. “I love fashion and love to look at what’s new but always decide whether or not it’s good for me. Don’t just buy something because it’s the latest look. I’ve done that before and ended up with a closet full of pieces I didn’t want to wear again.” With your home, she says, you’ve got to do the same thing: “Live your life! Make sure it’s good for you! Our Laurel Canyon living room expresses my personal sense of style best—it’s quirky, classic, cozy, warm, and unique.”
Details, she says, are the quickest route to personalizing an interior. “No matter what the budget, I always try to work in unique accessories,” she says. “That’s the layer that makes a place a home. The good stuff is the flowers, photos, and pieces that mean a lot to the family, plus a cozy blanket.”
