Madewell denim jacket | J.Crew tee, similar here and here | Frame denim | Valentino sandals | Brixton hat | Italy book – favorite
10 Beauty favorites you’ll love: I’ve tested them all 🌸
I just returned from a super fun Girls’ Weekend at Mt. Hood, which is an hour away from Portland. It was our first ever sisters & nieces getaway, and it was a lovely bonding time. We spent most of it talking, eating, hiking and … eating some more! Inevitably the subject of fashion and beauty came up, and we found ourselves sharing our favorite new finds and even walking away with a little shopping list. I made sure to bring a bag full of goodies that we could all try, but it was my sister-in-law’s Origins Rose Clay Mask and Ole Hendrickson Vitamin C serum that were the clear winners among the five of us!
Before departing the next day, after getting ready and sharing a few more beauty discoveries, we did a few quick try-ons including the best-ever joggers (my niece wore them all weekend), a J.Crew white cardigan, a Madewell chambray top and my new J.Crew jacket purchase, all of which I’m convinced everyone needs!
Today’s post shares 10 beauty favorites I know you’ll love. Most of them are highly rated and get great reviews, and some have won Allure’s best of beauty awards. Enjoy!
Images via Pinterest
#1 Charlotte Tilbury
I tell this to all my friends: never go to one counter and have your makeup done, and then walk away with everything from that same line! I believe that with all my heart … but for some reason, I have a drawer full of Charlotte Tilbury (!) I’ve purchased many items over and over (read more about it here). Here are my must-haves!
Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder – I use color medium
Magic Away Concealer – I use #3 for reference
Lipsticks Kidman’s Kiss, Sexy Sienna, Kim KW, Bitch Perfect, Tell Laura, Pillowtalk
#2 Chanel Favorites
I have gone through countless Chanel Le Volume mascaras and I have no plans to switch! The eyeshadow quads are SO easy since everything you need is in one handy black compact (I use colors #79 and #202). The peachy blush color In Love is really pretty, smells amazing and works with most other lipstick colors. I swear EVERYONE needs the Chanel Lip Brush because it blends lipstick evenly on the lip, which is key as we get older/better 😉 The waterproof eyeliner is the only one I recommend for tightlining. Lastly, the Chanel glosses are the ONLY ones I use! I think I have 5, including this recently added one. You can’t go wrong with any color, they’re all beautiful!
#3 Foundation and Amorepacific Cushion compact
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation gets top reviews and the Allure Best of Beauty awards for good reason. It has a natural coverage and evens out your skin tone. I love it so much, I’ve gone through at least 10 bottles over recent years! For reference, I wear color 5.5. The Amorepacific Cushion Compact is perfect for summer, adding a little extra glow and a protective SPF of 50. I’ve been using it daily over the foundation on my cheeks.
#4 It’s all about the eyes
The Laura Mercier Eye Primer in flax is a great base for all eye shadows, I’ve been using it for years. The Laura Mercier eye caviar sticks are very easy to apply, and the Rosegold is everyone’s favorite. It’s a pretty, neutral color with a slight sparkle. The Trish McEvoy eyeshadow stick in Smokey Quartz is wonderful for lining the eyelids gives a little shimmer and a subtle outline. Tightlining your eyes is KEY and you’d be amazed at how much it adds to your look! The only liner to use for this is Chanel waterproof liner, it’s the best! When I’m taking a little extra time, I’ll add an eyeshadow from this quad or this one. Finish with a couple of swipes of mascara and you’re good to go!
#5 Top Faves – skincare
Garnier Micellar cleansing water – love!
Anything from Kopari, especially the deodorant and Coconut melt.
Patchology Rejuvenating Eye gels (patches)
Anything First Aid Beauty, especially the Ultra repair cream, Coconut skin Primer (new fave) and Retinol Eye cream (currently using)
#6 Vitamin C Serum
This is one area where my dermatologist friend Dr. Lauren recommends spending some money. Her reasoning is that it’s important to get the correct percentage (15% and higher) in order for it to be effective (I wrote about it here). I’ve been using the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, and I’ve definitely noticed a difference. It’s a splurge, but my bottle has lasted for 6 months! This one by Ole Hendriksen also has the right percentage, gets great reviews, AND is reasonably priced. I recently spotted this one by Goop, which has an even higher percentage at 20%, and it’s now on my list to try. Whichever one you choose, this is one of Dr. Lauren’s “Top 3 things we should be doing!”
#7 Splurge skin care
Sisley Paris Black Rose Skin Infusion cream and Black Rose Precious Oil
La Mer Moisturizing cream and Eye Concentrate
#8 Perfume
Since it’s summer, I’ve been using the Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Travel Spray and Dry Oil Spray. It makes me feel like I’m on vacay 🙂 During quarantine, I treated myself to Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede lotion and perfume, which I have to hide from my daughter because she loves it too! I’m also still alternating with my ALL-TIME FAVORITE Le Labo Santal 33. Combined with the lotion, it is perfection! Lately I’ve been using Byredo Hair Fragrance, which surprisingly lasts all day, and is a great way to try out any of the fragrances. Try Byredo’s Gypsy Water — it’s amazing!
#9 Hair care
Every day before drying my hair, I use the Redken Diamond Oil Glow Dry to help with untangling. It smells amazing! I love most everything by Ouai, including the Rose Hair and Body Oil and the Dry Shampoo. My good friend swears by Olaplex, and one of these days I’m going to splurge on a Dyson hair dryer — I borrowed once, and fell in love immediately. It’s so smoothing and dries hair quickly — I can see why it’s a beauty favorite!
#10 Sunscreen
Any and all Supergoop! My very first blog post written in July, 2018 was on this favorite sunscreen brand and I continue to love it. The setting powder is a favorite, and the Unseen Sunscreen is great for everyday use. Next on my list to try is this Glow Oil with an SPF of 50. I’ve also been using La Roche Posay and this Peter Thomas Roth. Dr. Lauren loves Elta sunscreen, which should also be on your list to try. Bottom line, you can never have too many sunscreens!
Thank you for reading! xo
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