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What’s the opposite of gatekeeping? Welcome to “Payment Processing,” in which we ask stylish, generally cool people who’ve tried it all about their favorite fashion and beauty buys.
Elizabeth Banks and Gabrielle Union have teamed up for an unlikely but fitting partnership, and it’s not a new movie (yet?). The duo is part of the “Paze. It Checks Out” campaign, and they’re talking all things “add to cart,” which just happens to be one of our favorite activities.
It turns out, the actors love online shopping, too. So, we jumped at the chance to ask their fashion and beauty recommendations as these two have been style stars for decades. Union burst onto the scene in the Y2K era with hits like “Bring It On,” “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Bad Boys II.” She’s designed several fashion collections, been a Neutrogena ambassador and launched a hair-care brand, Flawless by Gabrielle Union, in 2017.
Banks has become known for her sleek and colorful red carpet style and vintage-inspired beauty looks alongside memorable roles in “Pitch Perfect,” “The Hunger Games” and “30 Rock.” The actor, producer and director also partnered with L’Oréal Paris on beauty campaigns.
Ahead, Union and Banks reveal the products they actually spend money on, from Medicube skin care and Charlotte Tilbury makeup, to vintage fashion finds and a luxury LED mask.
Photo: Getty Images
What’s a luxury beauty item you’re into right now?
Banks: I’m going to get the Goop [Therabody] LED mask. I’m doing it!
Union: The sad thing is, there’s nothing I’m eyeing because I just buy it. I have a problem! I’ve bought everything from the mask, the one that’s like, black. I got one of the microcurrent things. I’ve bought lipsticks, glosses, a waterproof liner. I have a problem. And this was in the last few days. My cart is empty!
What’s a drugstore beauty item you love?
Union: L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Mascara in [Blackest] Black.
Banks: Great Lash. So easy. And I still use a lot of No. 7. I use their Day Cream. It’s got SPF. I love the way it smells.
Photo: Getty Images
What’s a beauty item you love so much, you’ve bought multiples?
Banks: Charlotte Tilbury — I buy all her liners. I have like 50 pencils from Charlotte Tilbury.
Union: Damn you, TikTok! It’s the Medicube that got me. The algorithm! I bought the whole set.
What shoes are you eyeing right now?
Banks: These Celine wrestling bootie shoes. They come in white and blue and we’re obsessed with them.
Union: I can tell you what arrived. I’m obsessed with Nike Cortez, in every colorway, all the different materials. I have a problem.
What’s an affordable fashion item on your wishlist right now?
Union: Why am I late to this ASOS party? It’s super affordable, economical. I start in the sales and work my way back.
Banks: I love vintage. So, I’m all about reuse, reduce. The vintage game is so on-point right now. Of course, I love The RealReal. I’m really obsessed with the ’70s again. I think the shapes are amazing, the colors are incredible. I’m craving the comfort and the vibe.
Photo: Getty Images
What’s a wardrobe staple you love so much, you’ve bought multiples?
Banks: Commando underwear. I have 100 [pairs] of them. It’s not sexy but dang, is it easy!
Union: There are parts of your underwear you need to be little wider than narrower, and I’m just going to let the kids do the math on that. I tend to buy Frankie Shop pants in every color.
What’s the last product a friend or influencer influenced you to buy?
Banks: [Union] makes me want to do incredible travel because she’s a traveler extraordinaire. I’ll text her about places to stay because she has all the best ideas.
Union: Going back to Charlotte Tilbury, the powder that’s in the little compact? I have it in every purse now, just in case I forget to transfer everything. They’re amazing. She’s figured that out.
