Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope your week is going well so far. A few things I’m loving right now, especially since the weather seems to have shifted overnight here in Southern California. It’s still relatively warm compared to most parts of the US, but we’ve had some rain, lots of wind and dry weather. My skin has definitely felt the impact and my lips and skin have felt dry so I’ve needed to switch things up.
For lips I’ve been loving the Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Lip Treatment that I picked up from Sephora. It comes in a sleek little squeeze tube and has an angled applicator so you can apply it without using fingers. It’s hydrating and feels lush on the lips. I’ll give an update later as I’m testing a few new lip treatments. Also great for dry skin is the Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Oil-Free Essentials Set (not shown). I bought this a couple months ago and loved the items but found them too hydrating when we had super warm and humid weather in the high 80s (I thought fall weather would never arrive here). For right now, the cleanser and toner are just what I need to mix into my routine on days I feel extra dry.
These days I feel like I can’t live without the Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist*, the travel size is perfect to keep in my purse and I love that the mini packaging is just as good as the full size. Be sure to check out their gift sets this year. Their packages are beautifully wrapped so you really don’t need to do any extra work if you gift something.
For under eye concealer, I’m still loving the Charlotte Tilbury Retoucher Concealer as the best under-eye and spot cover up (I use Shade 3). Pigment and coverage is impressive but it blends out to a completely natural looking finish. Swatches of all the shades in this post here. Because many of you have been asking about the newer Mini Miracle Eye Wand Dynamic Duo Lift and Light Reflector, I picked up one in Shade 3. I’ll report once I’ve given it a thorough test drive.
Another staple in my daily makeup rotation is the Edward Bess Illuminating Eye Base. Many of you have repeatedly asked what my favorite eye base is, and it’s the one from Edward Bess. It evens out the lids and primes it for eyeshadow. It extends eyeshadow wear and doesn’t crease. Many skin-tone colored primers dry out my lids or make them look wrinkly, the Edward Bess smooths out the skin and makes it glow naturally (even though there is no shimmer).
For color, I’m obsessed with Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Versatile (swatched here), Wander Beauty Exquisite Eye Liquid Eyeshadow* in Bronze (swatched here), and Chanel Rouge No. 19 Le Vernis (released last year, but still available at Chanel.com, swatch here).
I’ve been testing a number of different hand creams. I did a roundup of my staples back in January. I’ll have another update soon. The Molton Brown Alba White Truffle Hand Treatment* and Hand Exfoliator* are really quite amazing. I’ve never done a hand scrub but the exfoliating treatment is incredibly helpful in scrubbing off dead skin and also offers hydration leaving hand silky smooth and feeling really good. (Not to mention is smells delicious.) The Alba White Truffle Hand Cream is ultra hydrating.
Also not to be missed is the L’Occitane x Pierre Hermé Collaboration. Both brands have a special place in my heart and I couldn’t be more thrilled that they partnered for a holiday launch. The packaging on the Hand Cream Trio is to die for. As soon as I saw it online I immediately went to my local store to pick it up. Unfortunately it appears to be an online exclusive in the US. If you’re one to shop in store, there is a lot to choose from – but don’t forget to check online for exclusive sets. The gift sets this year are so beautiful (more on these soon). There are some cute Lip/Hand Duos and other items that are only available online. (I ordered multiples of the trio and duos.)
Last three things I’ve been loving are the Gourmand Eau De Parfums from Urban Outfitters. I have Thé Matcha which is a super clean fresh scent. I have several others on my wishlist. Truffle pouches are always on my love-list. The Rose Gold Privacy Clutch is always fun around the holiday season. New for holiday is the Ivory Pearl Cranberry Pouch in Small* and Large. Right now Truffle has a 20% off sale on this color through 11/25 with code CRANBERRY at checkout.
Stay tuned for a hand cream and lip treatment roundup along with more holiday reviews and gift guides. What are you loving this week? Do you have any go-to’s for dry skin during the colder fall/winter months?
P.S. The Garance Doré Book is so incredibly fun and chic!
Press samples included indicated by a * next to the items featured. All others purchased by me.
I love this hand cream! It's so hydrating and smells amazing!!
http://www.prettyinnewyorkcity.com
The Tatcha Dewy Skin is amazing!
http://www.makeupmusicbooks.com
I really want to get one of those Tatcha mini mists for my bag!
I've had a smell of the Urban Outfitters scents and I fell in love!
becca | beccagiveslove
I love that Chanel polish, too. Missed out on the L'Occitane advent calendar. It looked adorable.
Tanja
For hand care I highly recommend Crabtree & Evelyn's Hand Recovery and Hand Therapy lotions. The Hand Therapy lotions are thick but not greasy and come in tons of scents (but my favorite is still the original Gardener's Hand Therapy- it smells fresh and not perfume-y). They have holiday sets too! Some sets are offered year-round I think, but I'm not sure which.
Thanks Allie, I don't think we have a Crabtree & Evelyn store near where I am anymore or else I would definitely check it out in person!
The lip treatment is definitely something I need my poor lips and so cracked
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
It's a really good one!
After a very long, hot summer and years of severe drought, all of us here in So Cal were all but dancing in the streets when the temp dropped and the rains came–although we might tamp our enthusiasm down once El Niño hits! The change in weather has definitely meant switching up to more moisturizing and occlusive lotions and potions. The dryness has also played havoc with my nails and so I've been carrying around a small bottle of Acure Marula Oil to keep my hands, nails, and cuticles in good shape. It's been a game changer. I get mine from Amazon. In addition to the reasonable price, I like that the bottle has a pump rather than a dropper. Another product I've been loving is Kaplan MD Lip Balm. It is very moisturizing, has SPF 30, and has improved the overall condition of my lips. It's pricey to be sure, and so I stocked up during Sephora's sale. In regards to color cosmetics, I recently purchased Buxom gloss in Zoe and am obsessed with its luscious, translucent, raspberry jam color. It's got some shimmer but nothing over-the-top and so Zoe works as well for day as evening. I've gotten so many compliments on it. Honorable mention goes to Tatcha Dewey Skin Mist. Regular size at home, travel size in my purse–I'd never, ever be without it!
Eileen, I love reading your comments almost as much as Sabrina's posts. So informative!
Thanks, Soni. I must admit I miss the friendly give and take that was such an interesting part of BTIB's Friday Forum. It was always such fun to share new loves and experiences. Sabrina's Loving Right Now is the only thing that comes close.
Thanks Eileen, I will have to check out the Kaplan MD lip Balm – my lips have been particularly bad in terms of dryness lately.
the tatcha gift sets look sooo amazing!
They are!! They are currently on sale 🙂
I loved the videos Garance uploaded on her channel with four inspiring women, and I am personally enjoying Lisa Eldridge's book now.
Thanks for the input, I didn't realize Lisa Eldridge had a book out, I feel as though I've been under a rock with some things.