There is sunscreen, and then there is sunscreen avid skiers with impeccable skin (and style) swear by. Aspen-based artist and activist Paula Crown—her family owns The Little Nell, but she’s been creating a lot of buzz for her AspenX x Prada capsule collection this season—fits the bill on both fronts, and then some. Here’s what she counts as “holy grail” skin care, her unique take on failure, and how nature inspires her.
Lift Pass
“Aspen has a dry climate, so my beauty tools include: Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 provides luminous sun protection; Augustinus Bader Cleansing Balm is silky and sensuous; Embryolisse Hydrating Cream is a fantastic makeup primer; Byredo’s La Tulipe Eau de Parfum is a daily mood lift; La Prairie has a combined foundation and concealer with SPF 15 that simplifies my beauty prep; Grande Cosmetics Mascara is a lash-boosting staple; and for lips, Pat McGrath Labs’ Noir Lip Balm—the black matte case is a sculpture. It is the chicest and sleekest beauty accessory ever.”
Creative Vision
“As an artist, I constantly think about creating and innovating new work. Painting is what focuses and grounds me. It is my lodestone. So often it is a launching point to other projects. How might artistic ideas live beyond a canvas? I believe art and creativity needs to be everywhere in our lives. It is life-enhancing.”
Conceptual Matters
“AspenX is inspired by Aspen’s natural beauty and 75 years of experience in skiing and outdoor recreation. It delivers five-star bespoke experiences for guests, as well as professionally endorsed performance clothing and sport accessories. This year, AspenX x Prada developed an inaugural line of performance ski wear that feels luxe, is waterproof and features my graphic work. The wearer becomes a beautiful piece of art, on an off the slopes. It is limited-edition but stay tuned for more divine collaborations in development.”
Nature Calls
“Everyone is enhanced by being out in nature. I like to say that Aspen is ‘sense-sational’ in its beauty, light and wildlife. Get connected with the environment and tap into your inner beauty—whether you are a skier or a hiker, just be outside and part of it all. Sunscreen, sun protective clothing and lenses are a must to protect you from the intense sun. And hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.”
Woman, Uninterrupted
“I unwind through my meditation practice and finding my flow. Our attention is so fractured with technology. Doing uninterrupted deep work is healing. Being truly present is energizing, whether you are alone and with others.”
Time Machine
“If I could give advice to my younger self…failure is data. Reframe ‘failure’ as knowledge. Lots of successes evolve out of a multiple of failures. Seek out people that reinforce your outrageous ideas and aspirations. Be less fearful. I imagine my ‘present self’ holding the hand of my ‘younger self’ and whispering, ‘Yes, yes, this will be good.’”
