Gus Birney
We had a blast with the ethereal beauty and gifted actor/musician Gus Birney in NYC shopping around our favorite vintage store Cure Thrift. She chose some pieces she loved…from t-shirts to trenches and the coolest chocolate brown bowler. So scroll on down catch our photo diary and chat on her cool style, growing up with her parents who are both actors, side passions, her gorgeous blonde locks, new product loves and the barest of beauty essentials. Gus is such the real deal….a luminous shining star on the rise.
The Bare Magazine: Did you enjoy shopping for some favorite vintage pieces at Cure Thrift? Do you own lots of vintage?
Gus Birney: It was so much fun! Cure is such a special place, it feels like stepping into a time machine back into every era all in one colorful store. It inspired me to have more fun with picking out outfits for just every day life and incorporate more vintage pieces into my wardrobe. I've been watching a lot of Sex and the City and watching the fashion on that shows taught me you're never too old to play dress up.
Bare: How would you describe your personal style? Who are some style icons that inspire you?
GB: I've always felt my style is a mix of bohemian and slightly preppy. In high school I wore a lot of plaid skirts and sweater vests but as i've gotten more into my twenty's i'm having fun experimenting more with long loose fitted skirts and baggy jeans. I look forward to waking up and deciding what version of myself I want to display to the world, it's like stepping into a new character every morning. I think why limit yourself to one style when you can explore them all! Bridget Bardot would be a big style icon of mine. Mostly for her hair, which i've been trying to perfect on myself since high school. Or obviously twiggy, my staple is short dresses with sheer tights and a loafer thrown on. I also love Diane Keaton's style then and now, she has fun playing with the masculine on top of the feminine and together it creates a masterpiece.
Bare: Your hair is gorgeous! who cuts and colors?
GB: Thank you so much!! It has been years of coloring and then correcting and then coloring. Maintaining a shade of blonde that you like is no easy road. I actually don't have a specific hair stylist who I stick with, I met so many incredible stylists on different jobs and shoots that I really like to mix and match artists!
Bare: We love how open to different makeup looks you are? What are some new looks or products you're trying these days?
GB: I love playing with skin products just as much as fashion! I did a play eariler this year with Rachel Brosnahan and she turned me onto all of Joanna Vargas skincare products. I look forward to the end of the day and washing my face with their vitamin C facial wash and applying the facial serum. I've been making an effort to try and buy more natural and sustainable makeup brands. Tina Turnbow, during our shoot introduced me to Ogee and I have completely fallen in love with their products. Their sculpted complexion sticks are like butter, I can't get enough!
Bare: Switching to your craft of acting, you are from a family of great actors. How has that influenced and helped you grow?
GB: Well not only has my family helped me become the actor I am but consistently continue to teach me what it means to be a better human being. I think anyone who knows me well would say my loyality and my heart goes to my family first and foremost, we are a team. My parents told my brother and I from day one that if we weren't in this professional for the long hall then to jump ship because it is a bumpy winding road but oh what a fun road it is. And the great part is I don't have to walk the path alone, we hold each other up. I love what I do and I also like what I do, and that's a good combo.
Bare: With the current SAG strike please share what side passions/hobbies you've been working on? Do you take any acting classes ?
GB: I would advise any artist of any kind to write at some point in their life. Whether it be music, poetry, a screenplay, even just journaling for yourself. Putting your thoughts to paper and expressing your mind in some written way helps give you a new understanding of yourself I think. So yes I've been writing, mostly music. I also love to quilt and have been making my cousin a wedding quilt and another friend a baby quilt. It is more of a gift to me than it is to them because it is so calming. I don't take acting classes but have a wonderful unit of actor friends to vent to and lean on as we navigate this strike. I know we will come out of it a more united union of artists.
Bare: Please list your top five beauty bare essentials.
GB:
1. HOT YOGA!! I go almost every morning, not sure if it counts as a bare essential, but it is essential for my mind and anxiety to stay balanced. It makes me feel like the best version of myself and I just LOVE it.
2. I take iron and B12 and try to stay on top of taking vitamin D. I use to be someone who didn't think supplements were necessary but at least for me incorporating these into my life has made me feel like a completely different person, stronger, more centered, less fearful!
3. A tinted lip balm. I always have one in my bag, I think its the Burts Bees brand I'm using right now. Something a subtle pink or even a red. It looks so much more natural than a lip stick or lip gloss and gives you a little pop. I even just rub it into my cheeks or the bridge of my nose sometimes to make me look a little more dewy.
4. Electrolytes. As someone who consistently needs to remind myself to drink more water especially after dripping in a hot yoga class, I've started always carrying an electrolyte packet in my bag. I like the brand Primal Hydration or Liquid IV. It adds a little kick to the drink!
5. A facial serum! I've been using the Joanna Vargas one EDEN NIACINAMIDE CALMING SERUM but there are many other great options out there. I hadn't realized the wonder of a serum before this year but my skin looks even and well rested and so much brighter every time after I put it on.
Photos and makeup: Tina Turnbow using Ogee
Clothing and shot at: Cure Thrift
Bowler: the Walsden Homberg by Bailey Hats
Creative Dir: Tina Turnbow and Liz Vap
Production: Liz Vap
Interview: Tina Turnbow
Founder & Editor in Chief - The Bare Magazine
