Between quarantine fatigue, a lack of social engagements and election stress, I haven’t been paying a lot of attention to my beauty and self-care routine beyond exercise. Recently I decided it was time to start getting back into makeup and nourishing my skin as the weather has turned suddenly cold. Plus, a beauty product is a small mood-lifting indulgence that can go a long way. My new favorites are….
A couple of items from Victoria Beckham’s makeup line, including this Black Satin Kajal eye-liner which I have been testing out. It glides on easily and the trick is to put a thin line at your lashes and then smudge the hell out of it with the other end of the stick. I also bought her Tuxedo eye palette for a smoky eye, but want to experiment with the Tweed shades below. It is a perfect Fall palette.
I am also looking for a better than natural lip shade and want to try her Bitten Lip Tint.
My hands are constantly dry and I am never without Aesop’s Resurrection Hand Balm that smells of mandarin, lavender and rosemary. The smell makes me happy. Plus I love the tube and how it gets crinkly as you use it up. All the women in my family get one from me for Christmas in their stocking.
For my hair, Olaplex 3 is a weekly deep conditioner that I don’t use enough, but am always happy with the results when I remember to spend the extra time to apply it.
All I really want to do of late is soak in the bath and Susanne Kaufmann’s Bath Oil is my favorite. Plus it’s aesthetically beautiful and looks quite chic sitting at the edge of your bath.
Pre-bath and shower, I need to start dry-brushing again. (And if you want tips on how to do it correctly, read this interview I did a while back with Knockout Beauty’s Cayli Cavaco Reck.) I need a new brush like this one from Dr. Barbara Sturm (which is presently sold out but I am sure there will more soon.)
Then, a body oil. I love UMA Oils Pure Calm Body Oil (I interviewed founder Shrankhla Holecek a couple of years ago.) This smells divine and it’s intended to bring the user a sense of calm. Who doesn’t need that right now?
Last, and I know I am late to the game, but am ready to try Augustinus Bader’s The Cream, which so many people swear by. I am a fan of Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, but also need something a bit heavier for nighttime as the weather turns cold. I’m going to start with the small size and see how it goes.
top image: Irving Penn, courtesy Vogue.
Try Eco Tools dry brush—Target!
I’m a huge fan of body oils – either layered under body lotion or on their own. As a matter of fact, next on tap is one of Victoria Beckham’s faves: Osea Undaria Algae Oil. And VB’s lip pencils are sublime! I’ll have to try the eye pencil, as well.
Please report back on the Bader cream!