Skims Pj’s | Zoe Chicco diamond necklace (15% off automatically applied!) | Storrows green heart | Gigi Clozeau
Unsexy Things I Do to Age Backwards (That Actually Work)🌸
Like many of you, I’m always on a mission to look and feel my best – every single day. I love to experiment with new beauty products, and I’ll admit I’m a bit of beauty junkie! After doing my own makeup every day since high school (and having some great friends in the beauty industry), I’m lucky to always have the inside scoop on what actually works. But here’s the thing – some of my absolute favorites aren’t glamorous or instagram-worthy at all. They’re the unsexy little habits and products that actually make the biggest difference.
Today’s post is a roundup of the best beauty products I’m currently using, including some new recent discoveries I can’t live without. Some of these took me a while to try – like the dermaplane tool, but once I did, they completely won me over! From my favorite skincare finds to the surprisingly unglamorous things I do every day, these are the ones I tell all my friends to try. Keep reading for a mix of what I recently shared on Instagram, plus a few new things I just had to add in.
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The Makeup
Washable silk pajamas here & here | Bobbi Brown eyeshadow stick, Dusty Mauve
1. Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation & Bobbi Brown primer – I consider this the holy grail of foundations. I always get compliments on my skin, and I swear it’s this foundation! It’s lightweight, looks natural, and provides good coverage. Make sure to use a primer too – I just started using this one, and it will give you a smooth finish, and you’ll feel pretty and glowy. 🌸
2. Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow Sticks – I’ve been using these for years – Golden Pink as a base, and Dusty Mauve a soft liner. And recently I added Nude Beach that I apply in the crease – it’s given a subtle little update I needed. At the end of the eye routine, I finish off with another touch of Golden Pink on top. The colors are so pretty together, and the eyeshadow sticks are super easy to use
3. Hourglass Eyeliner – This is a new discovery, and it glides on so smoothly and is easy to apply. I only use this for tightlining – which makes your eyes come alive (if you’re up for this extra step)!
4. Anastasia Brow Wiz – Brows make the biggest difference when it comes to your beauty routine, and it’s one of those things I do every single day! This brow pencil is thin so it gives a natural look when filling in your brows, and the brush on the other end is the perfect finishing touch.
5. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick – There’s something about a cream blush that feels warm and glowy. I’ve been using the color petal which is a soft pretty pink. I blend it in with this brush
6. Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Finish Powder – A makeup artist once told me this is like an “Instagram Filter” for your face. I’ve been using this for years, and I always think of him. He’s right, and I’ll never use anything else!
7. Brushes that finally work – I realized that all my brushes were old, dirty, and needed to go, and so I purchased a few new ones that work! This foundation brush, this eye shadow brush (I’m using with the Nude Beach above to blend out the crease), this powder brush and this brush for cream foundation
The Skincare & Tools
Washable silk robe | Salt & Stone deodorant
8. Cleansing Balm – I don’t know why this feels so luxurious, but using a cleansing balm does. I’ve used both the Elemis and Colleen Rothschild, and they smell similar and are kind of the same. Except the CR one comes with a muslin cloth, and in my opinion, a total game changer. When it comes to rinsing off, I hold the cloth under the tap and let it kind of fill up – and then wipe off my makeup. I love this little routine 🙂
9. Dermaflash – Awhile back, I increased my dose of oral Minoxidil, and all of a sudden I had hair growing on my face 😳 As soon as I noticed, I rushed to my drawer and dusted off this dermaplaning tool. Wow, have I been missing out! It’s super easy to use, your skin feels really smooth after using it, and you’ll never have an unwanted hair again ha ha. This is a lucky find!
10. Thermabody Depuffing Wand – Recently, I went to a wine dinner, and I was not thinking about my golf club presentation the next day. Then I got a little worried, so I rushed out and bought this wand after seeing it on Instagram. I don’t use a lot of beauty tools, but this one instantly became part of my daily beauty routine. It feels good, and it works. I also love Allure “Best of Beauty” award winning products — they’re always spot on.
11. SkinMedica TNS Serum – It’s not often I find an over-the-counter product that works – but this is an exception! If you use it for only a week, you’ll for sure notice a difference. Allure Beauty is always spot and this made the cut!
12. Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum – According to most dermatologists, a vitamin C serum is a gold standard for skin care that’s known to brighten, smooth and reduce discoloration. For a long time, I’ve been using a splurge one, and so when my mom (who only uses clean beauty) suggested this one, I was excited to try it. Come to find out it’s only $27 – worth every penny!
13. Salt & Stone – I recently decided to stop using the Donna Karan deodorant after one final time of it giving me a headache! And after reading so many great things about this aluminum-free one, I decided to try it, and love! The Saffron Cedar scent smells like Rouge 540, and Santal Vetiver smells like Santal 33. I also love this body cream, and it’s only $44!
The Unsexy Habits
14. Manicure gloves – I don’t like the thought of putting my hands under an ultra violet light, so my friend at the nail salon suggested I start wearing gloves, which she keeps in a drawer, and I’m so appreciative.
15. Comfortable panties – This kind of goes without saying, but I think we all want comfortable underwear, and these Chantelle ones are my highest recommendations. They’re super soft and the number #1 pantie in the Nordstrom Lingerie department! They’re available in several fits – my favorites are this style and this style.
16. Comfy pjs – I have a bit of a pj obsession – and my drawer is getting a little full. Current favorites I think everyone should try: Printfresh, Eberjay and Lake. When it comes to robes, this silk one is washable, perfect for travel, and it just feels a little extra when you’re getting ready in the morning!
17. Teeth care – Sounds a little funny, but I spend a decent amount of time morning and night doing all the things! Flossing of course, but the rubber tip (that’s good for gums) and those little Oral B brushes are one of those desert island things I will never be without. It sounds kind of icky, but even after brushing and flossing, those little brushes manage to still get things out!
18. Stylish readers & glasses – I’m going to guess most of us need readers, and they might as well be stylish. I’m so happy that Nordstrom finally started carrying readers again -and I purchased this pair. If you have a prescription, you can also buy frames on the Nordstrom website – I own these Celine ones and love.
19. The right bra – This might be one of the most important things when it comes to getting dressed! Recently I noticed in one of my photos that I was looking a little saggy. NOT a good look, and I immediately scooted up the straps on all my bras. Talk about a way to look youthful, having a little lift is key! Some best-selling bras that I swear by include this back smoothing one, this lifting one, this sexy t-shirt bra and this everyday comfortable one.
20. SLIP Silk Pillowcase – I swear by a silk pillowcase, both for hair and skin. You’ll get a good night’s sleep since it naturally regulates your temperature. Plus, it feels luxurious. I’ve tried cheaper ones, but this is the one I recommend. Also this brand new blue stripe with green trim!
21. Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Lotion – This fragrance-free body cream is so good! My girlfriend told me about it years ago, and I always thought to myself, what could be the big deal? Well now I know! It leaves a nice sheen on your skin, and even my photographer asked me what was on my legs. Now I have it in my toiletry kit, on the bathroom counter, and a back up supply as well. Try it!
The Healthy Habits
I struggle to get out and exercise, and it’s something I need to change asap! Luckily I grew up eating healthy (thank you mom), and since I cook dinner most nights with my husband, the eating healthy part comes easily.
Oatmeal most mornings – Nothing fancy, just quaker oats (not the quick kind) a little brown sugar and often nuts and berries
Jumping to 100 – Sounds a little silly, but when I remember, it’s an easy way to get your heart rate up and it’s better than nothing! Our doctor recently suggested every hour getting up and doing knee lifts or jumping for one minute. It sounds so easy, I just need to do it more consistently!
Pickleball and cute outfit of course – My husband is a pickleball fanatic – obsessed might be a better word (!!) and when I can, I often join him! I just discovered a new brand called Williams Athletic Club – and I’m SO impressed. It’s available at Nordstrom, and check out this skirt and this zip hoodie. Not only is it practical, but the pretty gold zipper, beautiful packaging (if you purchase on their website) and the small details like grossgrain ribbon and sleeve pleating is really so good.
Olive oil – We were in Puglia this summer, and our driver shared how his long living relatives take one spoonful of olive oil every single day! It has to be one with high polyphenols, and so of course we all started doing the same after having a case shipped back home. One little side thing that no one really tells you is that it also works as a mild laxative! I might be bringing some to NYC just in case. You know how it is when you travel!
All things Beauty
Charlotte Tilbury lipstick & Pencil | Bobbi Brown | Summer Fridays eye patches | Kiehls | Dermaflash
SkinMedica Serum | Westman Atelier | Vitamin C serum | Diamond Dazzle stick | Elemis Marine Cream | Tatcha | Oribe Shampoo & Conditioner
Thank you for reading! xx
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