Makeup JO STRETTELL
Where do you live now and what do you like most about it?
I just moved to the Santa Monica Canyon recently, it’s so dreamy. I love the energy of the community and how peaceful it is here. I’m most grateful that I have the beach just a few steps walk away from my place, and the canyon itself is so beautiful and calming. I’m a minute walk from the beach - so I go everyday with my dog to watch the waves and meditate, it's where I go to center myself.
The Fiesta Festival Bracelets, along with the Chain Bangle, Naked Toggle Chain Bracelet Thin, Twisted Naked Cuff, and Fatima Cuff. All available in shop below.
What inspires you?
Most of my inspiration comes from nature, travel and old, vintage objects. The beach recharges me when I'm in need of a creative boost. I also really love scoping out vintage clothing and furniture stores - I go weekly just for inspiration. Every piece has its own story and feels worn in and loved. There's almost nothing better to me than a good vintage find. I just found this incredible vintage couch by this French designer that I have been pulling a lot of inspiration from recently. Also, art books are a huge source of inspiration for my work when I’m designing. Anything by Georgia O’Keefe or interior designer Pierre Yovanovitch creates endless inspiration for my work and life.
The Esfera III Necklace, Thick Rounded Hoops, and Naked Cuff III. All available in gallery shop below.
What do you like most about your work?
I love that I am free to be me and design what brings me joy. I was modeling for a long time and in that world, I helped create images that were the brands’ image. Now I can be as creative and open as I want and dictate my own vision. I am blessed that I get to design pieces that are true to me and share my work with others.
Origins Double RIng Cuff, the Fatima Cuff, Thick Rounded Bangle III and Artemisa Ring I. All available to shop in gallery below.
Please tell me about your dog.
I just adopted a French Bulldog puppy named Chunk! He has been such a joy and way more work than I would've ever expected! He’s like my child. I really had no idea I could love something this much! He is hilarious and the biggest cuddle bug to ever live.
The Fatima Cuff Ring II, Koutoubia RIng, and Rock IV Chain Bracelet. All available to shop in gallery below.
What’s up next for you?
I’m currently working on the launch of my new knitwear brand called Retrouver Encore, which will hopefully launch this fall! The name is French and means “to find again and again”. Those words really resonate with me. I want to keep finding myself again and again, keep becoming a truer, more open and beautiful version of myself. I want to continue to evolve so that I can be unapologetically me - be free. It’s been a fun journey so far. I started with just hand knitting and crocheting things for myself a few years ago as I was getting sober to pass time and keep me busy. Friends began asking me to make them things. One thing led to another, and I started selling a bunch of knitted hats with custom hand embroidery to people. The support was unreal. Now I’m moving into clothing- sweaters, tops, bottoms, bralettes and more. I try to incorporate a little nugget of wisdom I’ve gained or learned into each piece, whether it's a poem by Rumi embroidered on to a top or words like “inhale, exhale” that centers me, knitted in. It's really been a dream come true for me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to make things, and to follow my joy and share that.
The Koutoubia Hoops, Thin Rounded Posts, Rounded Ring Collar Chain Necklace, and Rounded Bangle III. All available to shop in gallery below.
You have such beautiful skin and hair, can you please share your secrets?
It was such a journey healing my skin and getting it to where it is now. I used to have horrible skin issues and lots of hair shedding. Breakouts all the time - horrible hormonal breakouts around my chin and jaw, and my forehead was always covered in little bumps. It was so frustrating. I’m super happy to share my tricks and current skin care routine.
I know this is going to sound annoying to a lot of people…because I used to get annoyed when I would read something like this…but clear, radiant skin really does come from within. Diet, healthy lifestyle, lots of water and good sleep are keys!! I’m still a beauty product fiend and love trying new products, but I do my best to keep my skincare regime as natural and simple as possible now and I’ll list that below.
When I changed my diet and lifestyle, was when I saw the most significant improvement in my skin and hair. I decided to go vegan about three years ago and quit drinking alcohol altogether. Sounds crazy, but for me, the majority of my clear skin is due to those two changes. It was a process, and the storm hit before the calm. My skin had a lot of purging to do so the first couple months were rough for me. After that I saw such a dramatic change in the radiance and clearness of my skin. A lot of the food that I was eating before was causing inflammation in my body, which leads to skin and hair issues. So, once I cut out dairy, meat, and processed foods I really saw a dramatic difference. I also make sure to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water per day. And I eat a clean vegan diet - meaning tons of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. I try to get my proteins from natural foods such as beans and nuts etc. I stay away from processed vegan meats as much as possible because they can contain unhealthy oils and other harmful ingredients that can cause inflammation. Also getting enough sleep every night is super important when it comes to clear skin.
My meditation and mindfulness practices such as yoga and breathing techniques also have helped to lower the inflammation in my body and improve my skin, hair, and hormones.
Now onto the fun part… my daily beauty product routine. It’s really important to know what kind of skin you have to find the proper skin care routine for yourself. I have dry skin, so my skin needs lots of moisture and oils to help combat the dryness. I wash my face morning and night with Tatcha Rice Wash. In the morning after washing my face, I start with a couple of serums. First, I use SKII Facial treatment essence and follow that with iS Clinical Pro Heal Serum Advance, which is a vitamin C serum I love. If my skin is feeling extra dry, I will follow that with La Mer The Treatment Lotion. Next, I use Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream mixed with a couple of drops of Odacite’s Mo+P Serum Concentrate for very dry skin. Last and most importantly, is sunscreen. My favorite is Elta MD UV clear. I use this EVERYDAY. Be sure to buy the one that is coral reef safe.
At night, after washing my face I love to put oils on so that I wake up with glowing skin. The first oil I use is by Sunday Riley - Luna Sleeping Night Oil. I follow that with Sunday Riley’s Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment. And finally, I switch between Youth to the People’s Super Berry Hydrate and Glow Dream Mask and La Mer’s Moisturizing Soft Cream. Voilà!
My last beauty secret is a self-facial lymphatic drainage massage. I do this a few times a week to clear out toxins that build up. I like to do this in the morning, because nighttime is when our bodies are healing and clearing out toxins naturally - which can show up as a puffy morning face. So massaging (I like to use my hands so that I can really get in there) that out with a good face oil is one of my favorite things to do for sculpted, tight skin. Here is the METHOD that I use.
It’s really all about balance and consistency but also not stressing about it. Being gentle on myself when I don’t follow these “rules” perfectly is key. Have fun with it and love the skin you’re in…results will follow!
The Koutoubia Hoops, Thin Rounded Posts, Rounded Ring Collar Chain Necklace, and Fatima Cuff. All available to shop in gallery below.
The Koutoubia Hoops, Thin Rounded Posts, Rounded Ring Collar Chain Necklace, and Fatima Cuff. All available to shop in gallery below.
Square Ring IV, Naked Bangle III, Gyro III RIng. All available below in gallery.
When are you the happiest?
I'm the happiest when I remember to choose me. Not in a selfish way, but in a loving way that allows me to show up as the best me possible. I do that by meditating, connecting to nature and my body in some way, and spending time by the water.
Grandita, Wrap, and Ball II Hoops, and Rock IV Pendant. All available to shop below in gallery.
“Be still. Follow the joy. Work hard on yourself and everything else will fall into place perfectly.”
Grande RIng II, Rock IV Pendant, Fatima Cuff, Grandita and Ball II Hoops. All available in gallery below.
How do you unwind or de-stress?
I head to the beach with Chunk and meditate. I try to do that daily, it's been a game changer for me in all areas of my life, socially, relationship wise, work wise, it’s helped my overactive mind...AKA my anxiety more than anything else. I also am a trained Kundalini Yoga teacher, so I try to incorporate some sort of Kriya or breath exercise into my day, whether it's a little stretching or just focusing on my breath. I think it's really important for me to keep my mind and body in shape.
Festival Bracelet, Grande Ring II, Maja Bangle, and Fatima Cuff. All available to shop in gallery below.
Which piece from the new collection do you want the most?
I am OBSESSED with the Chain Ribbons. They are so beautiful and simple and such an elegant way to add some color to my everyday plain gold jewelry.
What do you like best about KC bags or jewelry?
I love the simple, yet refined and elegant nature of all the pieces. They are really timeless. That is always what I look for when I’m shopping for jewelry.
What is your favorite KC item and how do you like to style it?
It’s so hard to choose one! I think the thin rounded post earrings are so great! I would wear those anytime day or night. Styled with my Retrouver Encore Ribbed Bralette and high waisted shorts and the Oversized Two-Toned Cardigan thrown over would be just dreamy!
