Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign spent more than $2,000 on makeup and styling services from a celebrity agency, according to campaign finance records. The spending has drawn attention because the New York Democrat has previously spoken about doing her own makeup.
A review of Federal Election Commission filings showed the payments were made to The Only Agency, a styling agency based in New York and Los Angeles. The agency represents makeup artists and stylists who work with high-profile clients.
According to records reviewed by the New York Post, Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign reported multiple payments to the agency. The expenses were listed as services for campaign events.
The campaign reported paying the agency $670 on Nov. 5 for “campaign event makeup services.” Five days later, records show payments of $693.08 and $665 for “campaign event hair and makeup services.”
The Only Agency represents stylists whose clients include rapper Bad Bunny and model Bella Hadid. The agency provides hair, makeup, and creative styling services for entertainment and public appearances.
The agency’s listed starting prices are $600 for hair and $600 for makeup services. The company also maintains offices in London and Nashville.
One of the appearances where Ocasio-Cortez used the agency’s services was a rally in Queens last October. The event was a get-out-the-vote rally for mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
“An honor to glam AOC for the ‘New York is Not for Sale’ rally at Forest Hills Stadium,” makeup artist Jocelyn Biga wrote in an Instagram post. “An unforgettable moment watching her light up the stage with conviction, courage, and heart,” Biga said.
Photos posted alongside the message showed Ocasio-Cortez wearing a smoky eye and red lipstick. The post described the look as featuring carefully styled makeup and hair for the event.
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The New York Post said it was unable to determine which other appearances involved the agency’s services. Campaign records did not provide detailed descriptions.
The newspaper also reviewed other campaign spending reports for comparison. Those records suggested many candidates typically spend between $100 and $200 on hair and makeup services.
The Post cited a salon in Queens’ Forest Hills neighborhood that charges $100 for event hair services and $150 for professional makeup. The comparison was included to show typical local prices for similar services.
Republican National Committee officials criticized the spending. They argued it conflicts with Ocasio-Cortez’s frequent rhetoric about wealth and inequality.
“AOC’s favorite slogan is ‘tax the rich,’ but her campaign spending shows she’d rather live like the 1%,” RNC press secretary Kiersten Pels said. “It’s the latest reminder that her class-warfare message is little more than political theater propped up by high-priced makeovers,” Pels said.
Ocasio-Cortez has previously faced scrutiny over high-profile fashion and appearance issues. In 2023, the House Ethics Committee reviewed her attendance at the 2021 Met Gala.
At the event, Ocasio-Cortez wore a dress displaying the phrase “Tax the Rich.” The appearance generated significant media attention at the time.
The House Ethics Committee later determined she had violated House gift rules. The committee said she improperly accepted about $3,700 in rented apparel and other items related to the event.
Ocasio-Cortez has previously spoken about beauty standards for women in public life. She addressed the issue in a video posted to Instagram in 2019.
“Women are expected to put 30 minutes to an hour into their appearance every day to look just as presentable as a man who puts in 10 minutes,” Ocasio-Cortez said. She said women often face a different standard in public roles.
In a separate beauty tutorial published by Vogue several years ago, she discussed the challenges of balancing appearance and credibility. The video included a demonstration of her signature red lipstick style.
“There’s this really false idea that if you care about makeup or if your interests are in beauty and fashion, that that’s somehow frivolous,” Ocasio-Cortez said. She said young women in politics are sometimes judged unfairly over their appearance.
