Scot Louie On His Styling Career, Skincare Routine, and More

If I had the power to edit the dictionary definition of “tastemaker,” I’d swap out the current verbiage and simply put “Scot Louie.” The Brooklyn native and self-proclaimed “director of the divas” is the living embodiment of the word—shaping culture across fashion, food, and beauty. As a longtime wardrobe stylist, he’s worked with Hollywood heavy hitters like Kelly Rowland, Kehlani, and Keke Palmer. As a food connoisseur, he runs the viral platform DinnerPlus and authored the Simon & Schuster cookbook Tastemaker: Cooking with Spice, Style & Soul. And as a beloved creator, Louie has impacted hundreds of thousands with his relatable, witty style and beauty content, recently landing a coveted spot on the 2026 Sephora Squad. Amid the many demands of being a true multihyphenate, I caught up with Louie over Zoom for a candid, laughter-filled chat about his career, culture, and more.

His Earliest Beauty and Fashion Memories

“I was raised in Brooklyn by a single mother, and the beauty ritual was Saturdays at the salon. I sat in the corner, shuffling through hair books and magazines. My memories are everything from the salon to the barbershop to beauty and fashion magazines. All of those things really shaped my entry into fashion and media.”

His First Big Break in Fashion 

“I started my career so young. I was 15, 16, cutting school to go on Craigslist and do little test shoots. That’s really where my foray into the game began. By the time I was 18—right on my 18th birthday—I did my first fitting with Lil’ Kim. She was my first celebrity client. I was like, ‘Okay, you’re doing a good job. You’ve landed someone who is still a household name to this day.’ That being my jumping-off point really let me know this is something I can do and take seriously.”

His Philosophy on Wardrobe Styling

“For me, I work best with clients where it feels like a partnership. I’ve always joked that being a stylist is like babysitting insecurities. And in the true essence of it, that is exactly what it is. I’m dealing with the ‘I feel fat,’ ‘I don’t want to show my arms,’ ‘I want to highlight this.’ It’s taking all of those things, filtering them out, and still making the look feel elevated, streamlined, intentional, and thought-provoking. That process comes with a lot of conversation, a lot of fittings, and a lot of trial and error. And through all of that, trust has to be the biggest thing—from the talent and from the stylist.”

The Current Fashion Trends He’s Loving

“It’s so funny because when the economy gets crazy, this is when we tend to get the best out of fashion. There were so many things I saw this season during the fall shows—like a lot more people using print. That’s even found its way into my wardrobe, which is interesting to me because I’m very streamlined in my approach to dressing. I’ve been seeing a lot of great ways to layer. I think we’re in for a very strong fall/winter season next year. We’ve also been seeing people step away from sneakers and a lot of big bags, which I love. There was also a lot of floral, even on the Sergio Hudson runway, with big rosettes, which is interesting for a fall runway. Bold colors—like bordeaux and burgundy—are still hot. I’m also excited about a lot of soft powder blues.”

His Current Grooming Routine

“As I’ve gotten older—or as I’ve advanced in age—my skin and hair have become much more weather-reactive. I get eczema flare-ups, so hydration is huge. I don’t drink plain water anymore—I add lemon and Celtic salt for extra electrolytes. I’m really into my vitamin ritual now. For skincare, I love rich creams, like the Belif True Cream Moisturizing Bomb, especially for the under-eye area. I’m also loving the Caudalie Premier Cru Rich Cream. For beauty, most of the products I love are female-led, Black-owned brands: Pat McGrath, Danessa Myricks, Forvr Mood by Jackie Aina, Fenty Beauty.”

His Thoughts on the Sephora Squad

“I represent people who don’t feel seen in the space. Beauty is predominantly female-led and not always welcoming to men, especially Black men who aren’t masculine-presenting or size-zero. Me being on the squad says that there’s space for everyone, especially boys in beauty.”

How He Prioritizes Mental Health

“Prayer is big for me. I take time to unplug. My moments of centering look different—I might just be at home watching TV, cooking, or doing what doesn’t feel like work. TikTok, for me, is a documented journal of my life. Going out, showing my glam, trips, dinners with friends—everything is documented. That’s why it doesn’t feel like work, even though it is work. It helps keep my mental level grounded.”

His Current TV Watch List

“Love Story: JFK & Caroline, Love Is Blind, and Girlfriends. Love Is Blind is a bit insufferable this season. I feel like they’re rushing things, and the show feels repetitive.”

His Goals for 2026

“I have a silly personal goal I won’t share until December. But overall, I want to keep doing what I did last year. 2025 was full of growth and some loss, but I leaned into self-care. I had so much fun from June to December, and I want to do it again—times 100. I just want to have fun and love it.”