Quinton Mulvey

I find myself in constant pursuit of beauty—not out of vanity, but because I derive a lot of meaning from the beauty of quiet moments, art, and simple pleasures. When it comes to beauty and skincare, simplicity rules for me. I have very red, increasingly sensitive skin, and in the past, I chased trendy ingredients and extreme solutions, only to be met with disappointment. Now, I stick to time-tested classics, cautiously introducing new products only when they come highly recommended by trusted skincare allies.

In the mornings, I cleanse with either the regular Cetaphil cleanser or Cerave’s Renewing SA Cleanser. If I plan to shave, I also use Lesse’s Refining Cleanser to help loosen facial hair follicles. For moisturizing, I use Dieux Air Angel Hydrating Gel Cream in the summer to avoid heaviness due to sweat, and switch to La Roche-Posay Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream in colder months for denser moisture. My sun protection routine includes Elta MD’s UV Clear SPF 46 or Laguna Cyprien’s Protector Solar SPF 50 in Almendra for a more indulgent scent.

I moisturise my body with La Roche-Posay’s Daily Repair Moisturizing Lotion and apply Eucerin UreaRepair Plus on the back of my arms to address keratosis pilaris (First Aid Beauty’s Bump Eraser Body Scrub is also very good for this). Exposed skin is protected with La Roche-Posay Anthelios Water Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30. For deodorant, I alternate between Arm & Hammer’s Essentials in Juniper Berry for function, and Salt + Stone’s Black Rose for a bit of fun. Both blend well with my natural scent and provide robust, aluminum-free coverage. Everyday Oil’s Early Morning oil is my choice for its scent and glide around my crotch area.

At night, my routine mirrors the day’s but with an added emphasis on moisture. I often apply Lesse’s Ritual Serum and use natural body oils like Biography’s Sea Chrome or Oak Essentials Dew Body Oil for extra glow, especially on my legs if I’m wearing shorts. In a pinch, I use plain coconut oil for a similar effect. I also follow my mother’s trick of lathering my feet with lotions and oils, then slipping them into socks overnight. Beyond daily routines, I occasionally treat myself to a facial mask, like Lesse’s Bioactive Masque after sun exposure or Farmacy’s Honey Potion for an extra dewy look. Aquaphor and other moisturising lip products are essentials in my bag. Smooth, moisturised lips are probably my most important thing in the whole beauty-sphere. For longer days, I carry Byredo’s hand-cream, Suede is my favourite.

I don’t wash my hair often, but once a week I’ll use Playa’s California Salt Shampoo, which exfoliates my scalp and offers a subtle, enjoyable tingle. I follow this with Oribe’s Silverati Conditioner. Recently, I’ve started using Flake’s Anti-Dandruff Shampoo & Conditioner in Cedar Mint as well.

My make-up routine is simple: Hero’s Rescue Balm CC cream almost daily to even out my skin tone and reduce redness, Weleda Skin Food around my temples as a moisturizing highlighter, and occasionally Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops for a bronzed effect. I’ll layer in some concealer for the evenings, but I tend to keep things clean and simple.

After deep Reddit research and endless recommendations, I gave up on the whole supplement world. I take a daily multivitamin for men, and I add additional Vitamin-C and Zinc for immunity when I’m feeling depleted. I workout 3-5 times a week, between weightlifting, pilates and HIIT classes. I also consume a high protein, fibrous diet to keep things balanced and growing.

I treat myself to a 60-90 minute massage in Chinatown or at local spots at least three times a month. This really helps alleviate the stress and wear from weightlifting on my body. Additionally, I receive regular Botox treatments (typically at Peachy) every six months or so to prevent my fine lines from deepening.

My personal fragrance collection is laughably large, a mix of passion and purpose. I collect them partly as research for a future dream of launching my own and partly as memorabilia—I love purchasing a new fragrance on each vacation or trip as a way to remember the experience. My current favorites oscillate between powdery, sweeter scents like Diptyque’s Oud Palao and Dior’s Ambre Nuit, and deeper, woody scents such as In The Shower by Nonfiction and Oud Wood by Tom Ford. Most recently, I added “Madera Oud – Casa Ritual” by Perfumérica from a boutique hotel outside of Puerto Vallarta to my collection, and I’m absolutely in love with it.

Botox is somehow relevant, yet entirely unrelated to all of my beauty rituals. I have very strong facial muscles—as my injector likes to tell me—which means Botox really helps restrict my movement and prevents the deepening of my already significant lines. Don’t get me wrong, I think wrinkles are handsome (!) and important to embrace as part of our personal natural histories, but I appreciate knowing that I am preserving, not worsening, them.

Byredo ‘Suede’ Hand-cream, Aquaphor Lip Repair or Ilia Balmy Days Lip Conditioner, a rotating fragrance sample, Altoids.

Rescue Spa’s Bio-Lift facial never disappoints. Although I haven’t yet worked with her, all my most trusted skincare girlies rave about Skin by Gill’s facials, and I am definitely planning to book an appointment soon. For a thoughtful conversation about your hair before a transformative haircut, I recommend Devon Ray Gonzalez, co-owner of Floor New York. If you can somehow secure an appointment, also consider hitting up the superstar hairstylist Evanie Frausto. For a good, quick barbershop cut, I go to Tuft NYC on Mulberry Street.