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What’s the opposite of gatekeeping? Welcome to “Payment Processing,” in which we ask stylish, generally cool people who’ve tried it all about their favorite fashion and beauty buys.
Since uploading her first YouTube video in 2009, Jackie Asamoah (known online as Jackie Aina) has been a source of inspiration for an entire generation of beauty and fashion lovers. Seventeen years later, her career has continued to flourish, including the launch of her candle and fragrance brand, Forvr Mood, in 2020. But what remains the same? Her impeccable taste.
"My personal style is a mix of elements," she tells Fashionista. It has to be "sexy" ("either the titties are out or the legs are out"), "figure flattering" and "consistent."
Having worn everything from Oscar de la Renta to Luar to Christian Siriano, she calls out Sergio Hudson and LaQuan Smith as two of her current standout designers: "I have become such a Sergio Hudson girl through and through over the years," she says. "He truly makes clothing for the female gaze, not the male gaze. You wear Sergio Hudson to the interview, and you wear LaQuan Smith to the afterparty. Everything is snatched."
Ahead, Asamoah lets us in on her fashion and beauty must-haves — including the coat she buys on repeat, the setting spray "reheating One/Size's nachos" and the luxury accessories she's lusting after.
What’s a luxury beauty item you’re into right now?
I love those bougee Guerlain lipsticks — the ones with those super fancy cases. I love those, just sitting on the vanity. I have also spent a lot on fragrances. My most expensive was a decanter bottle from Tom Ford for $1,200. Shoutout to Tom. Can you give us the discount, though, please?
What’s a drugstore beauty item you love?
I don't think you need to spend a lot of money on a mascara. You can absolutely hit up Maybelline, you can absolutely hit up L'Oréal. Speaking of L'Oréal, I know they are going to come for me for saying this, but I lowkey feel like the setting spray they just came out with may or may not be reheating One/Size's nachos. But that setting spray is good, I'm not going to lie.
What's a skin-care product you swear by?
The Olay retinol line? Tea. It actually works. And I know it actually works because the first time I used that retinol cream, I used an exfoliating toner the next day and my skin was spicy. I also love Biologique Recherche. Its toners are amazing and they have a placenta serum that's really good. I notice the overall quality of my skin has improved. I also feel that way about Clarins. Especially its Double Eye Serum; it's an amazing product for undereye brightening.
What’s a luxury fashion item you’re eyeing right now?
There's a new Chanel bag. The bag just came out — they released a leopard-print version. I know I'm not going to get it, though. I'm sorry, I'm not fighting with any of you girls over tote bags. But a girl can dream — it's definitely high on my wishlist. I think I'm also ready for a new Schiaparelli [bag]. Also, the last Saint Laurent collection had a pussy bow blouse in white that I'm obsessed with. They are all sold out though, I already checked.
What shoes do you want to buy right now?
Every single pump from Saint Laurent. Especially the [Trianon Sandals], they are satin and have flower appliques. I also just saw this nasty Christian Louboutin pump that looked like a banana peel. I fear I need to buy these shoes to prove a point. I actually hate bananas, but I love it when people make food art.
Any jewelry you’re lusting after?
I want a Bulgari Serpentine watch. You won't see me in it because I won't go outside without security. But I do want the double wrap-around one, mayhaps in a rose gold. I also really love David Yurman's Sculpted Cable collection. I saw Jasmine Tookes wearing one of the necklaces during a 'Get Ready With Me' video, so I told myself, 'Let me go online and check it out and add it to my cart.' I then saw the price and said, 'Let me actually not.' It's definitely heavy on my wishlist, though.
What’s a summer beauty must-have?
I love to tan, so anything that can enhance my already dark skin, I'm here for. Any added detail, like body makeup or body shimmer, is a must. If you're going to show the skin, make it look perfect and glimmer-y. You'd be surprised how it takes a meh outfit to 'Wow you look amazing.'
What’s a fashion staple you love so much you’ve bought multiples?
There's an indie brand called Almada Label, and they have a coat called the Mara Coat that's 100% wool. It's a big wraparound coat with a super-chic detachable scarf. I love this coat so much that every time they drop a new color, I buy it. It's just the most chic coat. The coat is the outfit.
What’s the last product a celebrity or influencer influenced you to buy?
Kevin Luong, the makeup artist, put me on to the Hourglass Scattered Light Shadows. They're finely milled and almost glitter-y, but also wet to the touch. If you like that wet, diamond, shiny eye look, it's probably one of the best products I've tried in a long time for that exact look. I've bought all the colors now.
* This article was originally published here