To say Rachel Zoe is a celebrity stylist would be the understatement of the century. While she got her start in the industry working with a lineup of A-listers, she’s since become a star in her own right, leading a number of ventures spanning TV, film, and, of course, the luxury seasonal subscription service Curateur, where she curates her latest must-haves. As luck would have it, these include Sunday Riley; in fact, the new Curateur summer box features both the Ceramic Slip Cleanser and the Light Hearted SPF 30 Sunscreen — alongside other beach-ready essentials to help you spend the season in style. Below, Zoe shares where she’ll be this summer and how she’s packing for it.
SE: What beauty products are essential to your routine in the summer?
Zoe: I love all Sunday Riley products, so naturally I am a huge fan of the Light Hearted SPF. I love how lightweight it feels on my skin, alone or under makeup. I love to use Ceramic Slip Cleanser in the shower — I always feel like I have fresh skin to start my day and apply my makeup. I also need a lot of hydration on my skin over the summer months, so I use a lot of face and body oils. With my makeup, I tend to go more bronze-y and shimmery, so I love using gold shadows, a lot of highlighter, and extra bronzer.
SE: What else can we look forward to in the Curateur Summer Box?
Zoe: Aside from the Sunday Riley products, the Summer Box has a cream blush by Merit, a chic summer tote, flowy hat for the beach, and a caftan in the choice of black or white. It’s the most perfect curation for summer and I am already using and wearing all of it.
SE: Speaking of caftans, do you have a specific poncho or caftan you love for summer?
Zoe: I have been collecting caftans my whole life and I have several vintage Missoni and Pucci that are on repeat all summer. For my cozy, at-home lounging or just running around, I wear my Parrish caftans in every color.
SE: Are you traveling anywhere this summer?
Zoe: I spend the majority of my summer in the Hamptons with family and friends. The beach is my happiest and most peaceful place. During the year, we go to Malibu, and in the summer we go to the Hamptons. My most favorite memories are growing up on the beach in the Hamptons and now being there with my kids — being there all day and staying until sunset. I’m hoping to make an escape to Europe with [my husband] Rodger at some point this summer.
SE: Can you walk us through your ideal vacation day?
Zoe: My ideal vacation day is one with no obligations or set plans, being with my kids, laying in bed in a bathrobe, or going to the beach. And a great glass of wine at sunset is the dream.
SE: Do you have any favorite travel essentials?
Zoe: Thousands. I always bring a lot of sunglasses, ponchos, and caftans — things that are easy to wear in multiple ways. I have to have comfortable platforms and espadrilles that I can wear with everything. I tend to wear very loose-fitting things, so I am super comfortable but can look dressy when needed. I always bring a lot of jewelry as well to add to and elevate looks when I do not have time to change from day to night.
SE: Do you do anything different in your beauty routine when on vacation?
Zoe: When I’m on vacation, I like to have a more fresh and natural look. I love using products from R+Co Bleu and Olaplex in my hair and letting it dry naturally because I can’t fight the humidity in the Hamptons. [And] I am constantly using various serums, facial oils, and sunscreens that aren’t too heavy to constantly keep my skin glowy, hydrated, and protected.
SE: How do you make packing easy and seamless?
Zoe: I am admittedly an overpacker, but prepping everything I want to bring well in advance helps make the packing process much easier. Having an idea of how you want to style your outfits ahead of time and organizing them before putting them in the suitcase is essential.
SE: What’s your advice for people who feel like they’ve ‘lost’ their sense of style during the pandemic and want to feel their best selves while on vacation?
Zoe: My advice would be to try and remember what you loved most about your style and how you felt the best pre-pandemic. Really taking into account being comfortable while not looking like you are wearing pajamas is key.
SE: What do you always have in your carry-on bag for a flight?
Zoe: Snacks for the kids, every form of antibacterial wipe and sanitizer you can think of, a small makeup kit to apply upon landing, tons of hydrating skincare and lip products, and eye creams, [and] always an oversized scarf or wrap and a pair of big sunnies.
SE: Do you have any advice for making travel less stressful?
Zoe: My main tip for making travel less stressful is to start the process of prepping as early as possible. The sooner you begin to plan and map everything out, the easier and less frantic you will be in the days leading up to your travel.
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