CeCe Thompson was born in Dallas, Texas and now currently lives with her husband on New York City’s Upper East Side. She graduated from New York University and received a master’s in interior design from the Pratt Institute, so it’s no surprise that she landed an Interior Designer position at Bunny Williams. Cece is as friendly, humorous, interesting and stunningly beautiful as she is talented and clever. She knows the essentials needed to design the perfect bedroom, how to throw the chicest of cocktails parties, and serves the most delicious, Southern-inspired cuisine!

Her sunny personality radiates from the inside out—you can’t help but love her! The first time I met Cece, we totally bonded over our passion for beauty. Like me, she is beyond obsessed and is and very particular about what she includes in her routine. What I have observed from her is that she embraces her Snow White-esque creamy pale skin. She just rocks that pale looks and also opts for a natural yet effortlessly perfect look that you just want to bottle up for yourself. Between decorating, cooking, blogging (check out The Decophile), party planning and Pinterest (I am totally inspired by her Soirre board), we sat down to talk all things beauty.  

Cece: Shu Uemura’s TSUYA Skin Radiance Serum is my latest beauty obsession. It gives my skin a nice healthy glow without breaking it out.  I apply the serum every morning and evening. It’s great under the makeup I apply before going out at night.

Annie: What is the most life-changing beauty secret you have learned?

Cece: To smile! Pretty is as pretty does.

Annie: When it comes to skincare, what are your essentials?

Cece: My day-to-day skin care routine is fairly simple, thanks to Dr. Alexiades. She truly changed my skin! I wash my face with a prescription face wash, Sumaxin, then put on a light retinol cream followed by Dr. A’s 37 Actives Cream.  I am obsessed with this cream. It is both eye-cream and face cream, which makes life so easy.

The other thing that truly works is staying hydrated. I try to drink as much water as possible throughout the day.

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

Cece: For the day, I love Natura Bisse’s “The Cure” tinted cream with SPF. I wear this with a coat of mascara on my lashes. I keep both in my handbag to refresh, if I must, along with a little concealer just in case!

The other thing I never leave home without is a pack of baby wipes. I use them to clean mascara off from under my eyes, cleanse my hands and even remove stains on the job – they are a lifesaver!

Annie: Favorite facemask? 

Cece: There are two masks I love and use regularly, depending on how my skin is behaving. When my skin feels dry, I apply a thick layer of Eve Lom’s Hydrating Mask to my face and let is sit as long as I can.  To ensure my skin really soaks up the moisture, I put half of one of Dr. Grandel’s Hylauron Ampoules under the mask.

If my skin feels congested and dull, I use Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Mask. This mask seriously makes my skin glow and I love that it is all natural. [I love it too!] 

Annie: Let’s be honest, your hair is off the charts. Describe your hair routine and products.

Cece: Why thank you! About three years ago I was desperate to grow my hair out and discovered the Linkage treatment at John Barrett. The monthly treatment works wonders (you can tell a difference right away) and only adds about five minutes to the usual blowout time. After the treatment, they give you four at home treatments you are supposed to use every week.  I do these treatments at home every Sunday. Another treatment I love is the Philip B Rejuvenating Oil, which I try to put in my hair before going to the gym. For shampoo and conditioner, I like Shu Uemura.

Another thing that I do, which I think really helps keep my hair healthy, is to put all of it up in a giant bun on top of my head every night before I go to bed. My mom taught me this trick. It keeps your hair from getting tangled in the night and also gives it great volume in the morning.

Annie: What do you apply to look and feel your best for dinner parties? Do you have any makeup essentials?

Cece: If my husband and I are entertaining, my makeup routine is pretty simple. I cover any “imperfections” with Cle de Peau Concealer, curl my eyelashes with the Shu Uemura Curler (it works wonders if you heat it up with a blow dryer first), apply a couple coats of Givenchy Noir Couture 4-in-1 Mascara in Black, and then set my brows with Kelley Baker’s Brow Gel. I don’t need blush or bronzer because the heat in the kitchen takes care of that!

When we go out for dinner, I do the same routine but step up my game with a bit of blush, highlighter and liquid liner. For blush, I either use Le Metier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tint in Mystique or By Terry’s Sheer Liquid Blush in Rose de Rose. My favorite highlighter is Shu Uemura’s Stage Performer, which I apply along my cheekbones, my brow bones and down my nose. For liner, I use Laura Mercier’s Liquid Eyeliner in Black. It is by far the easiest eyeliner to apply. Highly recommend it!

Annie: Since we’re in the thick of the holiday season, I’m curious as to how you stay so flawlessly gorgeous! What are your tips for reviving yourself after a long day to look your freshest for a night out?

Cece: A Eucalyptus bath, Tracie Martyn LotusSculpt Quick Fix Eye Pads and a little Christmas music always does the trick this time of year.

Cece: Catherine Deneuve, Grace Kelly and I really like what Amanda Seyfried has going on lately.

Annie: Top 5 Lipsticks or Lipglosses?  

Cece: So the short list is…

1. By Terry Baume de Rose – This is a conditioning lipgloss that is the best cure for dry winter lips! Its more of a glaze than a color, so it’s the perfect day time option.

2. YSL Vernis Á Lèvres Glossy Stain, 27 – A friend gave me her tube on my wedding day and I have been addicted ever since. The pink color is very subtle and the gloss dries matte, so it’s somewhere in between a lipstick and lipgloss. 

3. Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme in Sweet Cream – I love this line because it isn’t sticky. The texture is so smooth, which saves you from looking like a tween.

4. By Terry Laquer (any color but love Flamenco Desire) – If I am in the mood for a statement lip, this is my go-to. The color is so saturated and the application is really easy.

5. Tom Ford Lip Gloss in Tawny Pink – Another go-to. This color is very natural and lady like. It’s the perfect wash of color for a casual night look.

Annie: Being from Texas, I know that you love that rich and delicious Southern cuisine. What is your post Holiday detox plan?

Cece: The holidays in my family are all about good food, good wine, and lots of late night laughter, so a detox will definitely be in order!  My friend Krissy recently introduced me to a delicious gluten free delivery program, Sakara Life. I plan on doing their 20-day program after the holidays along with cutting all alcohol and caffeine (eek!). [LOVE SAKARA!!]

Annie: Speaking of alcohol, what is your signature Cocktail?

Cece: Gluvine! It’s delicious and very simple to make. Heat one bottle of Cabernet on the stove over low heat and stir in a ½ cup of sugar. Once the sugar is dissolved, place two tablespoons of mulling spices wrapped in cheesecloth into the mixture. Let everything mull for about 10 minutes until heat starts to rise. Serve in mugs garnished with orange peels and cinnamon sticks.