Danucera Diaries
Entry 39: Carol Lee
Tell us about yourself?
My parents are South Korean immigrants, and I was born and raised in the U.S. I moved to New York City when I was 18 years old — I can’t imagine living anywhere else right now. I’ve been obsessed with beauty all my life, so I truly love my job as the beauty writer at New York Magazine's The Cut. Beyond discovering the latest and greatest beauty products for myself, nothing sparks joy like helping someone else perfect their routine.
What is your favorite topic to cover at New York Magazine?
I feel like the luckiest girl alive that I get to think, talk, and write about beauty all the time as my job. Teenage me would be thrilled. I love peering into the makeup bags and skincare drawers of other people. One of my favorite things to work on is my column, Auto-Refill, where I deep-dive into the routines of founders, experts, and celebrities. It’s a great excuse to ask all of my nosiest beauty questions.
"I have dry skin, especially in the colder months, and if I don’t use an occlusive like Cerabalm, I wake up with uncomfortably tight skin."
—Carol Lee—
Q: The Danucera 5-Step Method focuses on maximizing quality with minimal products. How does that philosophy translate into your day-to-day life?
Carol: "Despite my love for beauty, I don’t have time to always use a million products in my routine, so I’ve always narrowed it down to just a few efficacious steps that don’t compromise on results. Even my makeup routine (other than my sometimes six-step lip combo) is the same way. Over the years, I’ve reduced the time it takes from an hour to anywhere from 5-15 minutes. That philosophy applies to the way I dress as well. I don’t shop often, my clothes are mostly neutrals, and I have certain foundational pieces that I build my everyday outfits on. This process helps me feel polished and put-together without thinking too much about it."
Q: What is your favorite Danucera product and why?
Carol: "100 percent the Cerabalm. I love that I can use it as a makeup remover and mask, but my favorite way to use it is as the last step in my skincare regimen to lock everything in. I have dry skin, especially in the colder months, and if I don’t use an occlusive like Cerabalm, I wake up with uncomfortably tight skin."
Q: What are some of the biggest beauty myths you've learned along the way as an editor?
Carol: "It’s not exactly a myth, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to break the rules in makeup. You don’t have to only use eyeliner on your eyes or highlighter on your cheeks. This may seem obvious to some, but I’m such a rule follower that it took several makeup artists showing me their tips and tricks for me to truly internalize the fact that cosmetics categories aren’t as rigid as they seem. For example, I’ve learned from watching Katie Jane Hughes and Nina Park that you can use things like blotting papers, powder blush, contour sticks, and highlighter to create beautiful lip looks — you don’t just have to limit yourself to lipsticks, liners, and glosses.
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Q: How will you incorporate Danucera in your upcoming summer plans?
Carol: "I know that despite the hot, humid weather, my skin will continue to drink up any moisture I offer it. I plan to continue using Cerabalm to soothe and hydrate my skin."
Q: What is a habit you have tried or taken on in 2026 you really love?
Carol: "I used to journal as a child, but I got paranoid that others might be able to access my inner world through them, so I stopped a long time ago. However, my love of stationary has never gone away, and I got my hands on some Louise Carmen journals this year in Paris. It felt like a shame not to use something so beautiful, so I began to journal again. Not only does it feel cathartic to have an inanimate confidante for any and all of my thoughts, but I’m looking forward to looking back through them in the years to come. It’s a gift to my future self."
