The Mascara That Leighton Meester's Makeup Artist Swears By

Actress Leighton Meester has been a beauty icon ever since she first graced our screens as HBIC of "Gossip Girl" in 2007. Her character's NYC-prep-school-meets-haute-couture style on the CW show was only upstaged by Meester's bold lips and thick lashes on the red carpet. Now, her makeup artist, Suzy Gerstein, is spilling the tea on all of Meester's beauty secrets.

Gerstein, whose clients also include Camilla Belle, Sky Ferreira, Betty Gilpin, and Millie Bobby Brown (via SuzyGerstein.com), is known for choosing clean products that promote skin health. "I want it to be good for me and make me feel good, but I also want it to be realistic and allow room for indulgence," she told The Cut.

In order to ensure the products in her makeup bag don't contain formaldehyde, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, Gerstein turns to the Environmental Working Group. Their research on clean beauty products is essentially Gerstein's bible. "I educate myself, reference EWG, read up on ingredients, but the bottom line is that I do my best and bless the rest," she said.

Some of Gerstein's favorite beauty products include Kypris Beauty's Antioxidant Dew, La Bella Figura's The Clean Slate, and Augustinus Bader's The Cream. But, when working on her clients' eyelashes, she looks no further than this Parisian staple.

In a 2015 interview with Teen Vogue, Gerstein revealed that her go-to mascara for enhancing clients' lashes is the YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara. "It is the best [mascara] I have found for giving glossy, thick, and luscious (but still defined) lashes," she said. "[It is better for] volumizing, but it lengthens as well." The YSL mascara achieves this effect with a nylon fiber brush and a formula containing jojoba oil and beeswax (via Bustle).

Gerstein recommends that any avid Leighton Meester fans seeking to copy her lash look start by applying the product at the root. "Holding the wand horizontally and wiggling up and out, I like to switch, holding the wand vertically and using a windshield wiper motion to coat what's left of the formula on the tips to maximize length," she said. Gerstein also suggests opting for a deep brown shade instead of the classic black in order to avoid raccoon eyes. 

Or, if you're feeling quirky, try burgundy or navy. "The burgundy shade is also phenomenal on everyone — I love how it brings out something different in every eye color," she said. "And the navy shade makes the whites of the eyes look brighter — plus it's just fun to sneak in little pops of color." We couldn't agree more!