The Commence Qs: Michelle Lee
As the former editor in chief of Allure, Michelle Lee has seen—and tried—it all. We couldn’t wait to pick her brain and get the 49-year-old’s unique POV on her beauty evolution. “I’m so proud of my time at Allure, where I think we really shifted how people think about beauty standards around diversity and aging,” she told us. Now an independent beauty consult—and a mom to two teens and a four-year-old—she talks to us about her hair, her inspirations, and her new beginnings ahead.
Q: What is your relationship with your hair?
A: For 90 percent of my life, I was blessed with very thick, coarse, shiny, straight hair that required very little care. In my teens and 20s, I was quite adventurous. I used to write hair salon reviews and when the stylist would ask what I wanted, I’d say, “What do you think?” and I’d be open to anything. So I’ve had many colors and cuts—I was not emotionally attached to my hair at all.
After my first two pregnancies, I had the expected postpartum hair loss. But it grew back. After the third one, however, which was more than a decade later, I lost a lot of hair. Then I got Covid and I think that compounded the issue. I was losing handfuls of hair in the shower. And it just never grew back. Now, it’s been almost three years of dealing with hair loss all around my scalp, particularly around my part. So it looks thin and because of miniaturization, I also have lots of little baby hairs that stick up on top of my head.
Q: How does a good hair day make you feel?
A: Again, I never really appreciated it before! I used to actually brag that I never brushed my hair. Now, when I get a blowout and style it and it looks all lush and full, I feel great.
Q: What is the best part of aging? What is the most challenging part?
A: The best part of aging is being on the other side of all of the bullshit you used to obsess over when you were younger. Oh my god, why did I beat myself up over so many stupid, inconsequential things? Also, we’re all so fortunate to age. I know too many people who were not so blessed. So I feel blessed every day.
Q: What are you most looking forward to right now? Long term?
A: I’m most eager to forge my own path. I’ve been an “employee” for so many decades, so I’m excited to be my own boss and to not only figure out my own career, but figure out my own life. At a recent speaking engagement, the moderator asked me what my goals are now and I said, “I want to be happy” and that’s the honest truth. Maybe it’s easy for me to say now since I’ve reached—and exceeded—my goals, but my own personal happiness is way more important than a title or award or amount of money.
Q: What inspires you in beauty right now?
A: I love talking to beauty brand founders. Typically, they started their brand because of a personal need and they saw a white space that was not being filled. I love that passion.
Q: What’s your favorite Commence product?
A: I really like the Root Serum, but honestly the one I probably get the most mileage out of so far is the Leave-In Conditioner. When you deal with hair loss, it’s important to maintain your existing hair, so this has been so key. I feel like my hair is looking healthier and is looking fuller.
