Minami Gessel

As we all know, Los Angeles is now home to Glossier’s first retail store. ‘Millennial Pink’ on Melrose is truly a sight for sore eyes. Picture this, a city of angels wearing Haloscope and dressed from head to toe with a jumpsuit in that famous shade of pink. I think I speak for everyone, when I say I wish they were for sale. Offline Editor at Glossier L.A, Minami Gessel seconds that statement saying “I literally never want to take it off, it’s so comfortable. I wish we could sell them, it would be really cute to see a bunch of pink jumpsuits around L.A!”

For Minami, appeal goes beyond aesthetics. She says, “It’s so much fun to interact with everyone who is also equally passionate about the brand! You get to meet a lot of people and make great connections.” Being a part of a team that’s concept doesn’t completely take the focus off of makeup, but merely let’s its canvas shine is refreshing. Finding balance of the two is important. The key to confidence and living your truth various for each individual, but for her it starts with accepting the body you live in.

She emphasizes, “To just not care what anyone else thinks. I used to be very self-conscious about my weight and how I looked all the time when I was in middle school and beginning of high school. It was to a point where I would look at other girls in the street or in the mall and ask my mom, “Should I look like her?” “I need a thigh gap to pull off these shorts.” It was until my mom told me,” You are never going to look like her or her. You are your own person, so stop comparing yourself because it is going to eat you up inside. Be you.” It was like a slap in the face. It changed my whole perspective on my self-image.”

Her continuous stream of inspiration starts with her mother. She gushes, “Of course my mom, she’s a total badass. She’s a single mom and rose from being one of three women in her field to be one of the most valued people in her career. I never want to let her down, she’s the most important person to me and does everything for me. She’s my rock.” Minami herself will inspire you.

You are your own person, so stop comparing yourself because it is going to eat you up inside."

The moment I stumbled upon her Instagram, My first thought was “we need a makeup tutorial from this girl!” She has mastered the freckled rosy glow. She loves Glossier for lightweight glowy makeup. Perfecting Skin Tint, Boy Brow, and Priming Moisturizer Rich are her go-to’s. She personalizes her look, sharing, “I love to mix the skin tint with Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood flawless filter! It’s a match made in heaven.”

Speaking of perfect combinations, her So-Cal style compliments the hot summers and Californian winters. Whether she’s going to the movies, a Dodgers game or the beach she always keeps cool. She says, “The beach is obvious because I love to swim.” If there was an award for the cutest bathing suit, she may hold the title. As for her everyday style she says, “It depends on my mood but right now I’m loving mixing feminine dresses with sneakers. I think I’m late to the party but it’s practical and super cute. Paloma Elsesser is a huge influence on me. She’s so confident and smart.”

She too is confident and smart, Minami is currently a Political Science student. When asked what sparked interest in the this topic of study, she says “I’m probably like most of the people who have been interested in Poli Sci right now, but definitely, the 2016 election sparked my interest in politics. I feel that women and women of color need to be represented in politics. That our voices and concerns have to be heard. A lot of the policies that the Obama administration instilled are being threatened by Trump’s administration and it is up to our generation to be involved to protect the policies that have protected marginalized groups and the environment. There is something to be said about using your voice to empower not only yourself, but those around you.

A poem by Alison Malee comes to mind when speaking of this urgency, “If you are waiting for someone else to end injustice. and I am waiting. and she is waiting. and he is waiting. it will never end. use your voice.” With knowledge as her platform and her voice as the key, this girl is destined to be a powerful force to be reckoned with. She speaks with an open mind about life after school on wanting to pursue various things. She says, “I love school, so I’ll probably go back for my Masters, but maybe work for a non-profit or pursue modeling?? It’s up to the stars!”

Story by T'Keya Marquez | Photography by Celeste Scott