I’ve Built a Career on Precision—Why Would My Skincare Be Any Different?
By Garren
In a world overrun by excess, true expression is always in the edit. Image-making is often less about invention and more about the curation: knowing what to take away, what to refine, and frankly, when to stop. As Irving Penn once said, “What isn’t pleasing isn’t working.” That taught me so much about training your eye to see what works—and more importantly, what is not working. Therefore you challenge yourself to see something special. And adjust. That principle also allows one to flourish and create with succinct intuition.
I am an imagemaker. I’m also hairstylist of a certain age and generation. I’ve been fortunate to work with the most erudite visionaries in fashion, photography, and makeup. I was trained by the best, Polly Mellen, of course. Given that, my personal image and appearance are not taken lightly. These days, my fashion sensibility still veers toward quiet luxury. I wear navy more than black, I find it softer, more dimensional, yet still sharp. My lines are clean and close, gravitating toward tailoring that respects the body. No one does that quite like Thom Browne. There’s precision in his designs that speaks to me, and his creations feel tailored perfectly for my body.
My grooming rituals are meticulously considered. I’ve long been devoted to Sisley skincare products, particularly the Sisleÿa and Supremÿa collections. Twice a year, without fail, I commit to the brand’s La Cure skincare regimen: four weeks of regenerative skin repair, which delivers results I’m consistently pleased with. As with everything in my life, I prefer to identify what truly performs, and I’ll remain loyal when it exceeds expectations. The Supremÿa Eye Cream is also a staple for me, and as someone whose hands are always at work, their Sisleya Integral AntiAge hand cream is indispensable, keeping my hands soft, supple, and impeccably nourished.
Of course, I also enlist other care for my aesthetic regimen—but, of course, with expert restraint, because I never overdo it. I see Dr. Robert Anolik regularly; he has a gentle but skilled hand, and he handles the more targeted treatments that keep my face, neck, and hands balanced and lifted, always with subtlety and precision. He understands that good work is invisible. He does Fraxel for any brown spots on my head and hands, as well as baby doses of Botox and filler when needed for upkeep. Scalp care, too, is critical. I started going bald at age 20/21 and I have my husband, Thom Priano, shave my head. I use R+Co Bleu Essential Shampoo to keep the area healthy, then follow up with Sisley All Day All Year Essential Anti-Aging Day Care. And when going out or working on location, I am always covering my head with my favorite terrycloth-lined bucket hat by Hermès.
I’m a believer in vitamins and take magnesium supplements both day and night. My husband, Thom, (a revered hairstylist in his own right) is vegan and a gifted cook. He’s the chef in our household; our kitchen is our aromatic sanctuary, and his cooking reflects the way we both approach self-care: essential elements, executed with precision. We eat organic and clean, and we start our dinners at a civilized 5:30 PM time slot.
People often assume that after all these years, you stop caring about your image or your look. In truth, I care even more—only now, my focus is sharper, directed with greater intensity at fewer, more precise details. I don’t chase anymore; I’ve reached a place where I can fully enjoy and appreciate both my personal life and my career with ease. In the end, a well-lived life is like a great haircut: it should never feel forced, but rather naturally perfected.