Alessandra Codinha - Rouge Dior Lipstick Fall 2013

Photographed by Jens Ingvarsson at The Musket Room.

When most people think of writers, they think of coffee-shop regulars who spend their days typing away on a laptop. And while that may be the case in some industries, it's pretty much the opposite in the fashion world. Au contraire, as a regular Eye reporter for WWD and contributor for Into the Gloss, Alessandra Codinha's job unofficially requires her to rub elbows with the fashion industry's movers and shakers while looking impeccable and pulled-together.

Photographed by Jens Ingvarsson.

Conducting interviews at back-to-back parties, covering museum openings, and reporting from fund-raisers can take a toll on the average writer, but obviously, not Codinha. So, how does she do it? For starters, the 25-year-old Bostonian has a few style and beauty rituals that she sticks to,

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Photographed by Jens Ingvarsson.

like swiping on a bold shade of Rouge Dior before leaving her Tribeca pad.

We had the pleasure of teaming up with Dior for a day of fun with Codinha around her favorite New York City hot spots. From The Musket Room in Nolita to Smith & Mills in Tribeca, we were schooled in everything from street-style blogs to the writer's requirements for the perfect lippie. But, of course, that's not all. We also got a bonus, behind-the-scenes video, and we're giving you the opportunity to shop your favorite products straight from the photo shoot. Coveting that bright tangerine shade Codinha's wearing below? Oui, it can be yours, so keep watching and reading. video-overlay

Dior Rouge Dior in Rendez-vous No.543, $34, available at Dior;
Dior Airflash Spray Foundation, $62, available at Dior;
Dior Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Power, $55, available at Dior;
Dior Diorshow Mascara in Catwalk Black No.090, $25, available at Dior.

Makeup by Zann Parker; Hair by Bethany Brill; Video edited by Christopher Michael Beer; Shot by Owen Levelle.
Photographed at The Musket Room, 265 Elizabeth Street (between Prince and Houston streets); 212-219-0764.

Photographed by Jens Ingvarsson on the streets of Tribeca.

How did you become a writer? "I was always going to write. It was only a matter of ‘what exactly’ and ‘for whom.' I spent summers doing internships in D.C. for Senator John Kerry, in New York for a music magazine, for a stylist, and then for a designer. Basically, everything I could get to see what fit, but I knew the end result was always going to be in New York — writing. It was just a matter of getting there and making it stick."

Now, that's what we call determination. What was your next move? "I began at WWD as an intern for the Eye desk (which covers culture, art, food, parties — all the fun stuff), while I was still at school. I would go back to the U.K. and keep in touch with my editor, who was so incredibly supportive [and] kind and would give me freelance assignments whenever she could. A few months after I graduated, I came on staff and stayed for around two years. It was an incredible, educational, real ‘in-the-thick-of-things’ dream scenario."

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Photographed by Jens Ingvarsson.

And now you've expanded outside of WWD?
"I wrote for Into the Gloss after that and remained as a contributing editor there, though I’ve been focusing on other projects and freelancing for a few other publications (with an emphasis on fashion, art, and culture). I wrote the introduction

Photographed by Jens Ingvarsson.

to Ryan McGinness’ next book, Sketchbook Selections, and I was involved with a short film by Jenna Elizabeth earlier this year called Spectral that starred Chanel Iman."

That pop of red lipstick really stands out here. What's your trick to getting the perfect pout, and how do you make it last?
"Never underestimate the power of a great red lip. Some things are classic for a reason, kids. It’s hard to go wrong with a bold, red lip — just keep everything else simple. And, when playing with darker pigments, be patient. Layer and blot and layer again. Emily at Into the Gloss taught me that you just keep building it up. Depending on how serious you are, you can even pat some powder pigment on at the end for a really beautiful velvet finish."

Photographed by Jens Ingvarsson.

Give us a breakdown of this très chic moto-inspired outfit.
"I’m kind of crazy about this jumpsuit. A good, sleek jumpsuit always feels very Bianca Jagger to me — never a bad thing. I don't tend to wear a lot of bright colors, so it's fun to experiment with accessories, like this Dior clutch. Hey, it matches the lipstick! And I wish I could wear this necklace every day. It's delicate, strong, and so beautiful all at the same time — which is pretty true of Dior in general, if you think about it."

What do you enjoy most about street style, and how do you incorporate it into your own wardrobe?

"I think we are fast approaching a real saturation point with this whole idea of 'street style' — which is a bummer, because at its base, it’s a great, fascinating, important thing: What people actually choose to wear, and how they put things together to look their best and express themselves. That’s inspiring. That’s exciting. That’s what this industry is about."

Dior Rouge Dior in No.999, $34, available at Dior;
Dior Dior Contour Lip Liner in Rouge Dior No.999, $30, available at Dior;
Dior Diorshow Art Pen in Catwalk Black No.095, $30, available at Dior;
Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Over Black No.090, $28.50, available at Dior.

Photographed on the streets of Tribeca.

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Photographed by Jens Ingvarsson at Smith & Mills.

That's very true. Then what would you consider to be the ultimate street style?
"This whole 'street-style star' idea has gravitated so far away from what people actually want to be wearing and has become this sort of strange masse ‘peacocking.’ It’s like that Diana Vreeland quote, 'Style — all who have it share one thing: originality.' She’s not talking about wearing a lot of clothes. Dress for yourself, and people will admire you for it."

Photographed by Jens Ingvarsson.

So, who are your favorite street-style photographers?
"The Sartorialist and Garance Doré are both, at this point, deservedly famous for their ability to capture these rare glimpses of human grace, whether it’s outside Lincoln Center during Fashion Week or cruising around the city. They’re a great example of where it’s not just about the clothes. It’s something else that’s harder to define.

Photographed by Jens Ingvarsson.

JJJJound.com is a favorite blog, though it’s not really street style. The Impossible Cool, same thing. It’s incredibly relaxing just to slip into these sites that have their own aesthetic rules and worlds."

We’re at Smith & Mills now. This is one of your neighborhood hot spots, what do you love most about it?
"Smith & Mills is a really good spot to meet friends for drinks. It feels intimate without being cramped. It's never too loud, and the lighting is always great — no small feat! And, it makes a killer Negroni."

You've definitely mastered that I'm-not-wearing-makeup look, how do you use lipstick to pull everything together?
"A great lipstick, a serious lipstick (I'm not talking nudes, though nudes are great) is there to be noticed, and to add this undeniable polished punch to whatever you're wearing. If you've got a great lip down, it rounds out everything else — you're set."

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Photographed by Jens Ingvarsson.

Photographed by Jens Ingvarsson.

And what about lipstick? What are your requirements for a perfect product?
"My requirements for the 'perfect lipstick' are deceptively simple: a smooth
and creamy consistency without being too slick or wet and a certain richness of color. Thick, real lipstick. Not sheer, and preferably matte. What matters to me is that it doesn’t end up on my teeth, the cheeks of my friends, or the rim of my glass. I'm pretty straightforward with lipstick. I tend to use it more as a stain during the day and apply it properly at night. [Rouge Dior's] huge array of colors, its texture, and long-wearing capabilities — it’s a can’t-miss."

Dior Rouge Dior in Rose Songe No.365, $34, available at Dior;
Dior Dior Contour Lipliner in Elite Pink No.663, $30, available at Dior;
Dior Diorshow Black Out Mascara in Kohl Black No.099, $25, available at Dior;
Dior Rosy Glow Color Awakening Blush, $44, available at Dior.

Photographed at Smith & Mills; 71 N. Moore Street (between Hudson and Greenwich streets); 212-226-2515.