“I lived the life I wanted to. I always wanted to remain independent, so I went for it. I had incredible belief and boldness.” – Gaby Aghion, Chloé’s Founder

This quote really spoke to me because it reminded me of my friend and latest Glow Girl, Alexa Geovanos. Alexa is the Director of Wholesale and Business Development at Chloé. She was recruited by the French fashion house from a nine-year stint at Theory where she helped Olivier Theyskens launch his eponymous Theyskens’ Theory. But her life isn’t all fashion. In fact, she splits her time between two starkly contrasting places, her idyllic farmhouse in Connecticut that she shares with her fiancée, and her office at Chloé’s midtown Manhattan headquarters.

Chloé was founded by Gaby Aghion, a dark beauty with a bohemian spirit. Rejecting the stiff formality of the 1950’s haute couture, she created soft, alluring clothes from fine fabrics. To me, Alexa epitomizes the REAL Chloé girl. She is like the girls in the ads, running in a field dressed in cream-color chiffon! She has this bohemian spirit yet loves her career and appreciates soft, alluring clothes made from fine fabrics.

If her chic bohemian style and fashion infused career isn’t inspiring enough, take a look at her skin, hair and oh-so-pretty makeup sitch and get prepared for one major girlcrush. I sat down with the newly engaged girl to discuss Chloé, beauty and everything in between.

Describe your beauty vibe.

My parents emigrated from Greece and Egypt, so I was raised with a European sensibility: If you feel good, you look good. I am pretty low-maintenance, and luckily the Chloé vibe is free-spirited – you can’t run through the fields if you’re worried about your makeup! Like everything in life, it’s about balance; recognizing the importance of solid beauty habits and at the same time not letting it rule your life.

You spend much of the year in Paris. What do you think makes the French women different from your American colleagues?

One thing I love about the women at the Paris HQ is their consistency. They have such a well-developed sense of style, not contrived at all. You get a lot of signature looks, where this person has obviously found what works for her and sticks to it. She dictates her own style. That is inherently luxurious – to be confident enough to say to the world, ‘IDGAF because I know I look good.’

Let’s talk French beauty. What do you swear by?

My team and I have a tradition of Paris pharmacy hopping. Our must-buys: Berocca, Nuxe body oil, Mavala nail polish remover pads, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentre, Homeoplasmine for lips, Cicatryl for scars, and effervescent Aspirine + Vitamin C.

There is a store called Delorme in the 10th on Passage de L’Industrie which is an essential stop if you are REALLY into hair stuff. It is not fancy at all but the best place for Mason Pearson brushes at good prices and other hair accoutrements, like bobby pins so strong I can hold all my hair up with just one.

What are your tips for looking and feeling alive after a long flight?

Do some pre-work instead: drink a ton of water and apply a more intense moisturizer than normal to your face and hands before taking off and during the flight. The Embryolisse is great because it can multi-task for face, hands, as a makeup remover, on your nails etc., so you minimize what you have to carry. Invest in a silk eye mask, and if you are a frequent flyer get a pair of Bose noise-cancelling headphones.

If I was to peek inside your handbag right now, what would I find?

Um, organized hoarding. A Chloé Baylee cosmetic pouch containing NARS lip pencils, a NARS Kabuki brush, Giorgio Armani Brow Defining Pencil in No. 3, samples of Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer and Maestro foundation, YSL Shocking Mascara, my wallet, a mini Evian mister, a power adapter, a Lime Fuel USB charger, an iPhone, iPad, Kindle, and a Bob Slate notebook all tucked into my Chloé Foldover case which is my favorite new accessory (coming soon)… Sharpies, Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, Mavala Nail Polish Remover Pads, Berocca, and an Ashkahn card I got from American Two Shot that says “I think about you every day, asshole.”

What is in your makeup bag to keep you fresh and luminous throughout the day?

On a typical workday, it’s all about mascara and blush. And if I was out late the night before I dab some foundation under the eyes and a touch under the nostrils. Towards the end of the week when I haven’t washed my hair in a few days I pull it into a high bun and use a NARS lip pencil. Velvet Matte is my favorite – Red Square in the summer and Damned in the winter. Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer is like dew in a bottle. All the colors are pretty, but 2 is good with blush, and  8 is my pick for a summer day – it has a little hint of pink so looks great with a tan.

How do you detox, relax and unwind?

I drink a lot of beer! I’m not joking. Maybe it’s not detoxing but it does relax me.

Favorite facemask?

In between facials I use the Ren Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask to do a quick peel.

Bad skin isn’t an option. Describe your skincare routine and your essentials.

I get a Clear + Brilliant facial at my dermatologist in the city or in CT. It’s my secret weapon. You get zapped with a gentle fractional laser (make sure to ask for neck and décolletage, too – if I had endless cash I would have this treatment done on my entire body) for fifteen minutes. I know I sound like an infomercial but I swear by it – it really works!

Other essentials are Pond’s Original Fresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes – they are great at taking all makeup off gently – and a retinol cream. I like SkinMedica’s. I spend a disproportionate amount of time on my skin so I don’t have to wear a lot of makeup.

Now….your HAIR! Tell me how you take care of it. Products, routine, how often do you wash?

I wash it two to three times a week. If I didn’t share a bed with a pit bull and a man who wears homemade deodorant I would probably wash it less. What I do LOVE is Serge Normant Meta Revive Volumizing Dry Shampoo. I keep a travel size bottle at home, in my car, and in my purse and spray it on my roots when my hair starts looking dull. It’s magic.

Top 5 “stranded on a desert island” products?

Lucas’ Paw Paw Ointment. Coconut oil. Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap. Clarins tinted sunscreen. A Mason Pearson Popular Brush.

What is your number 1 beauty secret or makeup trick?

Smile and stand up straight!

Alexa’s Glow Guide:

Neighborhood Nail Salon: The Xpress Spa at the airport! If I have time, Jin Soon.

Hair Cut: Charles Baker Strahan. If you want uber feminine bombshell hair he’s your man. He’s also a delightful person and a fountain of hair knowledge.

Dermatologist: Dr. Lance Brown

Workout Routine: Bari Studio is my favorite workout – and I have tried them all. On the weekends I do pilates in a barn near my house. My workouts definitely match the pace of my double life – high-intensity in the city and laid-back in the country.