Glossier just launched their limited-edition Black Tie Set ($50) for holiday and it comes packaged in the cutest white box with a satin black ribbon. Inside you get four full-sized beauty products including a clear lip gloss, No. 1 Eye Pencil in Graphite, Nail Polish in #glossierpink and Haloscope Highlighter in Moonstone. The packaging is so perfect: cute, feminine, glam all in one and I just couldn’t resist ordering one out of curiosity and I’m glad I did.
The set is designed to give you a “Glossier party look.” To me all the items have an understated, subtle barely-there kind of glow rather than a party vibe unless you’re the kind of girl who likes to party without much makeup. When I think about each item individually: I really didn’t need another clear lip gloss, I have a number of highlighters that I already love and use, the graphite liner is something I wouldn’t really pick out on my own as I tend to gravitate towards bronze shades, and the pink nail polish seemed a bit basic. In spite of all these feelings I still really love this set and love the youthful fun vibe it gives. Thoughts on each of the items:
The Glossier Lip Gloss is clear but comes with a pink tint giving it a special girly kind of feel. It’s thick and slightly sticky but not tacky.
The Moonstone cheek highlighter is very sheer and dewy with a youthful feel. It has an emollient feel with a dewy finish reminding me of the RMS Living Luminizer but in packaged in a twist up tube.
The #glossierpink nail polish exceeded my expectations in formula and the brush is really good. Almost a Dior kind of good. The color appears to be your basic kind of pink but on the fingers with two coats it has extremely good smooth coverage and gives a feminine dainty kind of feel. It lasted on my hands for a good 7 days without any tip wear but you do need to use a good base coat to make it stick/adhere to the nails. I used Formula X The System Originals base and top coat when testing.
The No. 1 Pencil in Graphite is a shimmery gunmetal, it has just the right amount of shimmer without being glittery, texture is smooth
A closer look at each item, first swatches of the whole set:
The Lip Gloss:
The Eyeliner in Graphite and Haloscope Highlighter in Moonstone:
One last look below of the nail polish, it’s applied with two coats:
Overall I love the set even if it doesn’t really give me a party look. I did expect to like it as much as I do especially since I think Glossier items more for the super minimalist no-makeup kind of girl. The items are still well made and fun. There’s a very youthful vibe to this set which I think is what appeals to me. The packaging is just too cute. I love that the clear gloss has a pinkish tint to the formula.
The set is limited-edition and retails for $50, available exclusively online at Glossier. You can save 10% off your first order by clicking this referral link. I think this was worth the price and am really happy with everything. If you’ve tried this set or other Glossier items let me know in the comments!
Quick note – I’ve had some site updates and changes and it appears some of you haven’t been able to post comments. I’m working to get this fixed, in the meantime thank you for your patience!
Charlotte Tilbury’s beauty line is one of the most glamorous cosmetic and skincare lines I’ve tried. The first items I bought from her line were the Filmstar Bronze and Glow and K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipsticks and I’ve been hooked ever since. For holiday she has some beautiful gift options I think anyone would love to receive and I’m excited to give you a look at two limited-edition sets for this season including her World of Legendary Parties 2016 Holiday Advent Calendar ($200) and Film Noir Night Lipstick and Eyeliner Set ($49). Both are truly gorgeous.
Up first is the World of Legendary Parties gift set. It’s hands down one of the most luxurious beauty sets for this holiday. Charlotte Tilbury describes this as containing her “beauty secrets in 12 magical makeup cabinets,” and of course when she adds the words “magic” to any of her products I’m immediately intrigued. The set is boxed in the most adorable pink, plum and gold printed box with pull out drawers. Each little compartment reveals a beauty treat. A look inside the box:
The gift box contains 12 beauty products. At $200 this is quite the splurge but it does contain five full-size products with a total retail value of $135 so the remaining $65 for 7 minis is pretty reasonable. I’ll add notes on items I’ve tried before:
Mini Magic Cream 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz – I’ve bought and finished up a full-size of this and loved it, it’s a great everyday moisturizer that hydrates, smoothes and replumps the skin, the full size is spendy but a little goes a long way and mine lasted over a year (I used mine around 2-3x per week because I alternate moisturizers)
Mini Wonderglow 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz is a what she calls an Instant Flash Primer, it’s a liquid illuminator you can use all over the face on top of moisturizer and under foundation to give the skin a glow or mix in with your foundation to add a diffused shimmer glow, it’s very natural and sheer and gives the skin a lovely dewy finish without being too shimmery or thick
Mini Multi Miracle Glow 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz is deep cleaning face balm that transforms from a cream to oil when massaged into the skin, you can also use this as an overnight mask and will leave your skin baby soft, if you find cleansing oils too runny this balm is a great alternative because it won’t slide around your face or into your eyes
Mini Goddess Skin Clay Mask 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz is one of the few items I’ve tried from her line that I wasn’t crazy about but this is a very hydrating mask and as I have normal combination skin this one was too rich for me, but my girl friends swear by it
Mini Take It All Off Eye Makeup Remover 30 ml / 1.0 fl oz is something I’ve had on my wishlist for ages but always! It’s a gentle soothing remover that’s effective
Mini Supermodel Body 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz is such a pretty champagne golden body shimmer, I don’t usually wear body shimmers but in the summer I love this one on the legs or shoulders on date nights
Full Size Eyes to Mesmerise: Marie Antoinette 7 ml / .24 fl oz is one of the prettiest champagne tan brown shimmers, I bought 5 of the 6 shades she has and it’s among my top picks for cream shadows, they’re great for an all over wash on the lids for an easy look – just add liner and mascara with this one and your look is complete
Full Size K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick: Penelope Pink is one of the best nude pinks that won’t wash out my complexion or pigmented lips
Full Size Colour Chameleon: Black Diamonds 1.6 g / 0.06 oz is a pretty sparking grey black with silver flecks, this one is perfect for a smokey eye with sparkle especially for the upcoming holiday season
Full Size Exclusive Pocket Pout: Jessica Red 3.5 g / 0.12 oz is a dramatic true red in a small mirrored compact with an embossed lip print, see the swatches below, it’s the ultimate glam red
Mini Legendary Lashes 4 ml / 0.13 fl oz
Full Size Lip Lustre: Sweet Stiletto 3.5 ml / 0.12 oz is the perfect medium pink with a hint of warmth
A closer look at the box:
Next is the Film Noir Night Lipstick and Eyeliner Set which has a Matte Revolution Lipstick in Opium Noir (full size 3.5 g / 0.12 oz) in a deep plum red vamp and Rock N Kohl in Bedroom Black (also full size 1.2 g / 0.04 oz). It’s cased in a plum and rose gold box that has a little mirror with lights inside. I’ve tried other shades of her Matte Revolution lipstick (reviewed and swatched here) and it’s among the best in mattes that I’ve tried. I’ve also tested out a few other shades of her Rock N Kohl eyeliner but hadn’t tried the black before. It’s an ultra smooth eyeliner that is rich, deep, doesn’t tug and stays put along my upper lashes all day. Right now Opium Noir is exclusive to this set. The look for this is perfect for a fall to winter dramatic but simple classic kind of look.
Below are swatches of all the lip products in both sets, and as always swatches are on bare lips. For skintone reference I’m wearing the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation in Shade #6 with Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder in Shade #2 (the powder is my holy grail and I’ve hit pan on several).
One last look:
Bottom line: glamorous and gorgeous. Her products are splurge-worthy and if you have someone extra special you want to surprise this holiday season there are lots of Gift Options at different price points on her Gifts For Her page. The quality is always on point and pigment and textures work very well to look good with a healthy flush of color. She has a wide range of lip colors and her nudes/pinks are very good and they work on my pigmented lips without washing out the complexion. If you haven’t checked out her holiday Legendary Muse Eyeshadow Palette I think it’s a holiday must (also available in this cute Dreamy Look in a Clutch set).
The Tom Ford Beauty Winter Soleil collection has been on my radar for weeks now and I finally caved and splurged on the Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes in Warm and Cool ($155 each for 0.45 oz / 12.8 g) and four of the Lip Foils ($53 each for 0.1 oz / 3 g). I’m getting this post up quickly for those who are Sephora VIBs in case you want swatches to help you decide on purchasing decisions for the sale so I haven’t been able to do extensive testing. This is going to be more of a first impressions post but having used Tom Ford beauty products for years I can pretty much tell how they will perform right away. Everything is cased in the white and gold packaging with a glowy shimmery feel for holiday.
Up first are the Lip Foils which are ultra shimmery lipsticks. They have ultra fine mica to give them a reflective look and feel making them almost like foil. If you don’t like frost I’d recommend you try to see if you can swatch before buying sight unseen as these are pricey. I find adding a clear gloss or balm on top helps soften the foiled look (I do it with a lot of MAC Frost Lipsticks). I swatched these at the counter and wanted all six of the colors but limited myself to four.
Private Life is stunning warm gold foil, Spanish Flame is a peachy metallic, Venus Rising is a cool pink frost, Seadragon is the most stunning metallic plum I’ve ever seen. Pigment is excellent and smooth with easy to build color. Texture is smooth but since these are very metallic they look frosty on the lips. They have a comforting smooth feel on the lips and while they aren’t hydrating they don’t dry out the lips. My heart belongs to Venus Rising and Seadragon but as I know shimmer might not be your thing these won’t be everyone.
Two sets of comparisons, note that the Lips and Boys I have were from previous years so some of the shades you might not be available anymore.
Set 1:
Dior Diorific Matte Lipstick in Golden (review here)
Tom Ford Lips and Boys in Rory (from 2014, review here)
Tom Ford Lip Foil in Private Life
Tom Ford Lip Color in Guilty Pleasure (review here)
Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer in Skinnydip (review here)
Tom Ford Lip Color in Spanish Pink
Tom Ford Lip Color Matte in First Time (review here)
Set 2:
Tom Ford Lip Color Shine in Quiver (on lips here)
Tom Ford Lip Foil Venus Rising
Tom Ford Lips and Boys in Ansel, Jake, Jude, Drake, Daniel (from 2015, on lips here)
MAC Frost Lipstick in Plum Dandy
MAC Frost Lipstick in “O”
Up next are the Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes which I completely love – 100%! It’s hard to pick a favorite as both are very good. The texture of the blush and highlighters are silky smooth and buttery soft. The blushes have a lovely natural looking glow on the complexion while I find the highlighters to be more shimmery. The pigment is soft but impressive. Eyeshadows have a mix of shimmer and glitters and are also incredibly soft and well pigmented. They apply on the lids effortlessly for a lovely glow. Both are on the glowy shimmery side.
Both are cased in white and gold rectangular compacts that have an almost clutch-like look to them. They are well made even though they are plastic and have a magnetic closure – for some reason I really like the way the compacts close.
The Soleil Eye and Cheek Palette in Cool has a cool pink blush, cool light pink highlighter, glitter light pink, glitter light lilac, shimmery violet grey, deep plum shimmer. If I were forced to pick just one I would pick this one which surprised me as I usually prefer warmer tones.
The Soleil Eye and Cheek Palette in Warm is simply stunning. It only has 1 glitter eyeshadow color. Shades in this are a yellow gold, warm tan gold glitter, soft sandy champagne tan, satiny brown and a soft champagne highlighter.
Palettes next to each other so you can see the undertone difference:
As many of you might be wondering how the shadows in these holiday palettes might compare to existing Tom Ford Eye Color Quads I pulled three to compare including Orchid Haze, Seductive Rose and Nude Dip.
All of these made a significant dent in my wallet but I’m thrilled with everything. If I had to narrow down my picks I would skip two of the lip foils in Private Life and Spanish Flame simply because I have similar shimmery colors in my current stash.
I think both palettes are must haves but I am a die hard Tom Ford Beauty fan and love all things glowy that come in pretty packages. These fulfill all of my makeup dreams in terms of palettes and while I do think they should be priced at lower price points, given the price tag of their quads I think it does make sense. I think my readers are split in how they feel about shimmer. I do think everything in this collection is more on the shimmery and glowy side, but I really love the palettes and the lip foils can be toned down easily with clear gloss.
There are a few more items in the Winter Soleil Collection including 2 more Lip Foils in Creme Conque (gorgeous light pink) and Aperture (stunning bronze), Soleil Blanc Dry Oil Spray, Face Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 50 and a Soleil Brush Kit. All are very spendy and as I already have the Soleil Blanc perfume I decided to stick with it (although I haven’t tried the spray, I forgot to check at the counter).
The Winter Soleil collection is limited-edition. You can find all items at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Net-A-Porter, Sephora, Selfridges and other Tom Ford Beauty locations. If you’re a Sephora VIB don’t forget you can save 20% off your orders with code 20VIB through 11/14.
These have been out for a few weeks now, did you check out anything yet?
I have my huge Sephora sale haul post for those who wanted to know what I bought during the VIB Rouge sale last week. For those who have VIB Member Status the 20% off Sephora Sale starts today 11/11 and runs through 11/14/2016 with code 20VIB if you’re shopping online at Sephora.com. You can use the code multiple times online and there are no product or brand exclusions. Up first are staples I stocked up on:
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Polish is one of the most gentle face scrubs I’ve used, in recent years I’ve stopped using most scrubs because I have very sensitive skin, this one is a good one!
Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Coconut is pretty much the only brand of deodorant I use, I don’t sweat a lot so I can’t say how well this holds up for those who do sweat a lot, but it lasts all day, isn’t irritating, smells great and aluminum-free, sometimes on days I’m in a rush it’s all I wear and I get compliments from random strangers saying “you smell really good, what are you wearing?”
Sephora Collection The Cleanse Daily Brush Cleaner is one of my favorite quick-clean kind of sprays, it won’t clean brushes 100% but it’s great for powder shadow or blush brushes (anything powder like bronzer, highlighter etc.) – also available n a mini size
Make Up For Ever Mist and Fix is one of the best makeup setting sprays I’ve tried although I have to say that I have not tried that many, ones I have tried are just ok, but this one is great, it sets makeup, makes powder look less powdery without messing up your makeup, helps extend wear, has no scent, and is also availble in a mini size
Sephora Collection Soft Touch Cotton Pads are great basic cotton pads that won’t leave fibers in your eyes, I stocked up on 3 packs because apparently my husband has been using mine although he doesn’t use toner or need/use makeup remover so I’m not sure what he’s using them for, either way they are inexpensive even without the discount and don’t disintegrate
YSL L’Homme Deodorant is a restock for my husband and it’s one of his favorite deodorants of all time, he has sensitive under arms but this one works for him – I bought it because the Sephora sales rep told me it was “the best” he tried and that I would not regret buying it, he was right! My husband loves the smell and I love the smell, it lasts all day on him and is non-irritating, he wants me to tell you that he thinks it will make a good stocking stuffer for guys, lol
Next are some sets that I found interesting and ordered online because of overwhelmingly positive customer reviews. One is being returned.
Shown above:
Peter Thomas Roth masks have been raved about by so many I decided to finally try the Mask-A-Holic 5 Piece Kit ($75 for a $230 value), there is also the Mask Vault ($225 for a $352 value) but the 5 piece set seemed like a much better value/deal – if you’ve tried them let me know what you think or if you have favorites!
Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil 7 Piece Body Butter Collection is something I bought for stocking stuffers, I tried Gingerbread Vanilla and had a friend over and asked her to take a whiff to make sure it just wasn’t me, these are very strong in scent and very very sweet, if you like sweet or vanilla you’ll love these, me and my friend found them too strong so it’s going back, I don’t think my friends will like these
Elizabeth and James Find Your Nirvana Set has four 0.10 oz/ 3 mL Eau de Parfum mini rollerballs in Nirvana Black, Nirvana White, Nirvana Bourbon and Nirvana Rose, it’s a great way to try all four or keep one in a clutch
Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Trans-Foam Clay Trio has a lot of positive reviews, they are clay masks that are supposed to transform into a foaming cleanser when you add water, I haven’t tried it yet but have high hopes!
Skin Inc. Prep + Peel Set is something I bought to try the peel described as “non-abrasive” – will keep you posted as I try these, I may wait until after Thanksgiving to try these just in case I have an allergic reaction to anything
Elizabeth and James launched two candles in Nirvana Black and Nirvana White, both are online only (at least for the moment). They also have a couple sets with the candle like the House of Nirvana Black Gift Set. I haven’t burned it yet but it smells amazing from just opening the box. The Nirvana Black is my favorite and I think having this as a home scent will be incredible. The Find Your Nirvana Set minis shown next to candle for scale.
Makeup picks where I went for minis and stocking stuffers:
Shown above:
Buxom 6 Degrees Below Sexy Mini Full-On Lip Polish Collection is just too cute and I love the formula of these polishes, this one is a gift so I didn’t swatch them, I’m really tempted to get another one for myself even though I won’t be able to use the discount code
Too Faced Passport to Bronze Deluxe Bronzer and Flatbuki Brush Set is also to die for cute, the minis this year are soooo good! This one is only $25 and was requested by another friend for a stocking stuffer, I’ve never tried Too Faced Bronzers before but they always get rave reviews – if you’ve tried them let me know what you thought
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick Duos are back for the holiday with a metallic foiled top coat finish on one side and a cream on the other, post will be updated with swatches later today of these two
Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Creme in Slow Burn is a light neutral pink that the original launch was missing, will swatch and update this post later as well
Guerlain Pearly Pink Illuminator is new for holiday, I haven’t had a chance to try it yet but have high hopes that it will be as pretty as the meteorites!
Guerlain Meteorites Illuminating Pearls for Holiday 2016 were too pretty to pass up, these are sheer but have a bit more sparkle in the shimmer than some other ones I have, they smell like powdered violets
Last but not least, I did buy the Laura Mercier Iconics Holiday Box Set. I went back and forth debating whether to buy it as there are a number of other Advent Calendar/Box Beauty Sets that are tempting this year. At the $170 retail price the 12 items in the box average to about $14.17 per item. With the 20% off the set price is $136 which makes each item about $11.33 (not including sales tax). The presentation is gorgeous and even though the box appears to be cardboard it’s very well made. I said I would review this earlier but after looking at it and seeing as I have already tried 8 of the 12 items I am going to save this as a gift for a very special someone although I don’t want to say who because it’s supposed to be a surprise. Everything is individually wrapped but if you want to see real life photographs I can carefully open the box to photograph for this post. Here’s the stock image as a place holder for now.
Hope you enjoyed this haul post! To recap, if you have VIB Member Status you can save 20% off purchases starting today 11/11 and through 11/14/2016 at Sephora. Use code 20VIB at checkout if you’re shopping online at Sephora.com.
P.S. I am expecting my Tom Ford Winter Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes to arrive today so I hope to photograph, test and swatch everything for my VIB readers before the sale ends even if it will be a first impressions kind of post.
Are you hauling anything during the sale this weekend? Or did you already shop last weekend for the VIB Rouge?
Clarins has a lot of great holiday sets this season and I’m beyond excited to share that they’ve launched their Holiday 2016 Advent Calendar in the US this year! Beauty Advent Calendars have been rare in the US and I’ve always been so jealous of my European friends who have them in their stores. This year quite a few brands have jumped on the bandwagon and as a beauty junkie I’m beyond thrilled. It’s always fun to sample lots of minis.
The Clarins Holiday 2016 Advent Calendar is limited-edition and currently available exclusively online at Clarins. It retails for $125 and has 20 mini-sample sized and some full-sized beauty products and 5 fun accessories like charms and gift tags. I really wanted to wait until December to open up each box per day but then I wouldn’t be able to share it with you.
Inside the box you get:
Booster Detox Full-Size, 0.5 Oz. Net Wt.
Beauty Flash Balm Full-Size, 1.7 Oz. Net Wt.
Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 01 Honey Full-Size, 0.1 Oz Net Wt.
Hand and Nail Treatment Cream
Deluxe Travel-Size, 1.7 Oz Net Wt.
Eau Dynamisante Travel-Size, 0.5 Fl. Oz.
Toning Lotion with Camomile – Normal to Dry Skin Travel-Size, 1.7 Fl. Oz.
Blush Prodige Illuminating Cheek Colour 02 Soft Peach Miniature, 0.1 Oz. Net Wt.
Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Miniature, 0.13 Oz. Net Wt.
Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector 01 Rose Shimmer Miniature, 0.15 Oz. Net Wt.
Crayon Khôl Eye Pencil 01 Carbon Black Miniature, 0.013 Oz. Net Wt.
Wonder Perfect Mascara 01 Wonder Black Miniature, 0.1 Oz. Net Wt.
Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base 01 Rose Miniature, 0.3 Oz. Net Wt.
Instant Eye Make-Up Remover Sample-Size, 0.3 Fl. Oz.
Cleansing Milk With Alpine Herbs – Normal or Dry Skin Sample-Size, 0.3 Oz. Net Wt.
Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream with Microbeads Sample-Size, 0.1 Oz. Net Wt.
HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase Sample-Size, 0.1 Fl. Oz.
HydraQuench Cream – Normal to Dry Skin Sample-Size, 0.1 Oz. Net Wt.
HydraQuench Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm Sample-Size, 0.1 Oz. Net Wt.
Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil Sample-Size, 0.17 Fl. Oz.
One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser Sample-Size, 0.1 Oz. Net Wt.
3 gift bag accessories
3 gift tags
A look at each day’s contents cased with a perforated door opening:
All the minis – there are so many skincare items I’ve wanted to try and cannot wait to dive in.
Right now there’s a GWP with any $80+ order running online at Clarins through 11/15 – there are four options to choose from, with a code for each option: DAILY16, MULTI16, FIRMING16 or SUPER16.
There are some other cute value gift sets which I’ll link below. For reference you can see some other reviews if you need swatches or more details:
I am a huge fan of the Clarins lip products but haven’t explored much of the skincare. I am excited that to try more with this holiday set. I have a few more advent calendar / beauty box sets that I’ll be reviewing soon so stay tuned! Ones to be featured shortly include the Laura Mercier Iconics (if you’re a Sephora VIB the 20% off sale for VIB tier members starts tomorrow 11/11) and Charlotte Tilbury World of Legendary Parties.Up next will be my Sephora haul 🙂 P.S. Tom Ford Winter Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes and the Soleil Lip Foil just launched online just in time for tomorrow’s sale. I wasn’t able to get them in time to use the code but ordered the palettes anyways.
Have you checked out any of the beauty advent calendars this year? If yes which ones?
As the weather shifts my skin has been in need of an extra hydration boost. The air is dry and I can definitely feel it as my arms and legs tend to get a little itchy when skin is dry. My skint ype is pretty much normal combination but I do have super sensitive skin – I’ve mentioned a number of times that I’m allergic to a number of things so I always patch test items before applying them all over. However as a beauty blogger it is my duty to try and test things to be able to see first hand how they work so I don’t mind an occasional reaction here and there. Many of you liked the Spring Skincare Favorites for Sensitive Skin so today I have a roundup of Beauty Look Book sensitive-skin approved products that will help with dry skin and add that extra boost of moisture for winter months.
Up first are some lip products I’ve been loving right now for dry lips. You can see a more detailed comprehensive Winter Roundup from 2015 if you want more options. The Armani Him/Her Lip Care are also great options for tinted unscented options.
Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors (c/o, all shades swatched here) and Instant Light Lip Comfort Oils (c/o, also reviewed here) are among my favorite for hydration and smooth coverage. They are scented though so if you’re super sensitive to fragrance you may want to smell first before buying – I am semi-sensitive to scent in lip products but love both. There are a number of holiday sets out so be sure to check them out (there’s also a few cute GWP options going on at Clarins). The Sweet Kisses Set has 3 lip oils at a value price, Clarins Kisses has minis of both formulas, XOXO, Clarins! has 3 full size Lip Perfectors at a good deal as well.
The Dior Addict Lip Glow Pomade has been a staple for hydration and smoothing lips. It gives instant relief for dry lips and really does work to help improve texture and look of the lips. I have two tubes because I want one at my desk and one to carry in my purse when I’m out and about.
The Lanolips 101 Fruities Duo in Strawberry and Peach are a Net-A-Porter exclusive and I cannot rave about them enough. They’re a thick but very smooth balm that feels incredible on the lips. I’ve never tried any other lip product that gives such a comforting hydrating feel like these do. The Strawberry option is also available at Ulta Beauty.
Up next are some hand cream favorites. I’m obsessed with hand creams of all kinds – I do prefer a smaller compact tube so it’s easy to carry with me and also because they take up less space whether it’s on my nightstand, clutch, purse or drawer. Molton Brown is always a good option for me as I love the lightweight feel and they absorb quickly. Coco and Sandalwood (c/o) and Pink Pepperpod (c/o) are my favorites but I’ve tried them all and they are ALL amazing options. (I buy the Fiery Pink Pepper Cracker set every year.)
For holiday Neiman Marcus and Kiehl’s have an exclusive trio with the Limited-Edition Scented Hand Cream Trio and it’s only $16 (they are 1 oz each). They also have the regular unscented version in a the Limited-Edition Ultimate Strength Hand Salve Trio they have every year in the full size. The scented ones are just as hydrating with a slightly creamier feel. I love the scents which are Grapefruit, Coriander and Lavender. It’s great and I highly recommend it as these are the best I’ve tried for super dry hands.
The Jo Malone Geranium and Walnut Hand Cream is new for this season and comes in a slightly smaller tube than the regular Vitamin E Hand Treatment (which I find a bit greasy). The Geranium Walnut has more a green geranium scent with only a tiny hint of walnut. It’s hydrating and makes the hands smooth.
Face Oils and Serums are something I’ve never been into historically – I’ve only really gotten into them in the past couple of years as I’m more of a lotions and cream kind of person. Quite a few of you asked about the La Mer Renewal Oil and I’ve been able to acquire a few minis from gift with purchases. Out of all the oils it has the thickest feel upon application but actually absorbs the best for the least emollient finish which is rare for oils. It’s very hydrating but also scented. The scent doesn’t bother me and it did not irritate my skin. Once I use up my others I will most likely buy it – it hydrates, balances the skin and reduces redness.
The Darphin Intral Soothing Serum does just what the name implies. It helps reduce redness from itchy dry skin and works wonders to calm down flare ups. If you’ve tried this and found it didn’t do much for you it’s probably because in most cases serums are meant to be used in conjunction with a moisturizer on top. Serums alone have a unique texture that doesn’t always work well with your makeup, but when you layer them with your moisturizer they help keep the skin balanced and hydrated. This is on the lighter side so if you have super dry skin it probably won’t have enough moisture, but if you’re normal and sensitive this is a good one.
The L’Occitane Divine Youth Oil has been a favorite for a long long time. I’m pretty much finished with this bottle but kept it for this story as it’s a good one. L’Occitane skincare in general is underrated and it’s among the most gentle and natural that I’ve tried. It smooths the skin, makes it glow, plumps up the surface. You can use it alone or with moisturizer. I like to use it at night too and I wake up with glowing smooth skin. This is a great one for winter time.
Another favorite is the Kate Somerville Dilo Oil Restorative Treatment and I tried this thanks to a number of recommendations from my readers who commented on previous posts. This oil is everything. If I were forced to use one oil the rest of my life this would be it. My friend tried it as well and she couldn’t stop repeating “my skin feels sooo amazing.” It really does everything it claims: smooths skin, strengthen, replenish and restore elasticity, maintain suppleness and helps improve skin evenness. It has the most amazing scent which is hard to describe but it’s not irritating.
Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate is one that is well-loved by many and for good reason. It’s another oil you can use daily but has an energizing/reviving aspect to invigorate the skin. The description for this says it has “antioxidant protection with a powerful blend of naturally-derived oils, including Ginger Root, Sunflower and Tamanu, to help skin feel fresh and look energized morning to night.” I was nervous to try this but have been hooked every since I tried it.
Next up are lotions and creams. Note this looks like a lot and it is, but quite a few of these are empties that I’ve used up. First Aid Beauty is the best affordable mid-end skincare line I’ve tried and one of the best for truly sensitive skin. One of my best friends is in her mid 30’s and loves their line and my younger brother is in his early 20’s and it’s one of the two skincare lines he asks me to stock him up on (Kate Somerville being the other).
Many of the First Aid Beauty items contain colloidal oatmeal to help soothe dry itchy skin. I’ve tried their Ultra Repair line and also the Purifying line with Red Clay (best for summer/oily skin) and everything is gentle but effective. The Ultra Repair Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer is a great basic no-fuss lightweight moisturizer for normal sensitive skin. It contains, “meadowfoam seed oil and avocado oil soften and hydrate while shea butter and ceramides help protect the skin’s barrier function. The best in the line is the Ultra Repair Cream and if you’ve been reading recent posts, you know they just launched the Ultra Repair Cream in Vanilla Citron (c/o) which is amazing. I bought the Ultra Repair Cream Minis set and feel almost like a broken record talking about it, but it’s GREAT. I still prefer the unscented version because even though there’s no scent it has a soothing undertone in the formula. They always have great value sets so be sure to browse those if you’re new to the line.
If you need something natural but not heavy, the Chanel La Solution 10 de Chanel (c/o) is something I just started using on a more regular basis and it’s a great one for something simple but effective. The Chanel is a great in between option if you need something that acts
somewhere in between a lotion and cream. It helps calm down flare ups
and is great for sensitive skin. This year they added a larger 1.7 oz
version (the smaller 1.0 oz version is shown below).
Two other great basic options I’ve used up include the Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation and Kate Somerville Nourish Daily Moisturizer. Both are really good for a simple no-fuss kind of cream that hydrates, smooths, calms down irritation and rebalance skin. They are lightweight and absorb nicely into the skin.
If you have very dry sensitive skin, I’d recommend the Tatcha Indigo Soothing Triple Recovery Cream or Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream (I have the older original version but have tried both and the new one is just as good). If you read customer reviews on both their sites you’ll find an overwhelming number of others who love both. The Tatcha is on the expensive side so if you’re unsure of splurging $100+ be sure to check out their Travel Size Shop. They have all their items in minis and also in sets that are great to try out.
A few more notes on the La Mer Moisturizing Soft Lotion. I featured it in this post here to compare it to the Soft Cream and I prefer the lotion because of the pump packaging and texture. It’s quite the splurge and I do think it’s amazing. I have no regrets buying it but the others in this roundup are also great at more affordable price points.
Last but not least, for the body three things I’m loving right now are the Moroccanoil Dry Body Oil Spray, Kate Somerville Dry Skin Saver and also the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream as a body treatment. They offer instant relief from itchy dryness and I’m obsessed with the way the Moroccanoil Dry Body Oil smells. The Kate Somerville Dry Skin Saver is one I’ve bought multiple tubes of now for friends. I get texts a lot from my girl friends that say “help my skin is freaking out, what do I need?” I either tell them First Aid Beauty or this one. I love that First Aid Beauty made their Ultra Repair Cream in different sizes and packaging options for travel, full size and value size.
Two other body products that deserve a mention but I just used up and didn’t keep the empties include the Tatcha Indigo Body Butter and L’Occitane Shea Butter Extra Gentle Lotion for Hands and Body. Both are extremely good for super sensitive skin. The Tatcha is the most hydrating one I’ve tried and is on the thick side since it’s a cream but feels amazing. I like to use it at night. I love the formula but it’s a bit too rich for my skintype for day time – I would absolutely die if they made this in a lotion form. The L’Occitane has been featured a number of times before as well. It’s the best lightweight gentle lotion that gives relief without feeling sticky or heavy. It absorbs well and anytime my skin feels itchy or irritated this is my go-to to help with relief. I need to go buy another one soon.
I hope this roundup give you some ideas on what to try if you’re suffering from dry itchy skin or flare ups. Recommendations as always depend on your specific skin type, age, formula preference and scent preferences. I turned 35 this year and my skin has finally seemed to rebalance itself and I attribute this in part to finding good skincare.
As I transitioned from my late 20’s to my early 30’s my life went through a lot of stress and my skin suffered. I have always been able to manage a lot of things in life but in my early 30’s the stress of life, career, balancing a full-time corporate job, a part-time job, this blog along with other things in my personal life took it’s toll on my skin and it suffered. I experienced breakouts on the chin even though I never had any acne issues growing up. I had pretty bad texture issues on all areas of my face. Red spots from scars were pretty bad as well. Finding balance in life, learning to say no to some things, taking time to take care of myself and worry less have helped my skin as I’ve worked to improve things from the inside out. Many of you have asked about work/life balance and I’ll have more on that when I publish my get to know me post.
Back to the skincare – I’m always asked if I could only pick one in each category what would it be. I like options, I always have. It’s really hard to pick just one favorite because I have many and preferences change. Right now I will say that:
My favorite face oil is a three-way tie between Kate Somerville Dilo, Kiehl’s Reparative Treatment and L’Occitane Divine Youth Oil
My favorite body treatment is the Kate Somerville Dry Skin Saver
My favorite face moisturizer is a three-way tie between La Mer Moisturizing Soft Lotion, Kate Somerville anything, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Most gentle items for sensitive skin are the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, La Solution 10 de Chanel and Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Cream
Best lip balm of the moment is Lanolips
Favorite hand cream Molton Brown Coco and Sandalwood or the Kiehl’s Scented Hand Cream Trio
As always if you have sensitive skin, dry skin issues or eczema – please chime in on what your favorites are!
Press samples indicated with c/o. All other items purchased by me.
I have an Instagram roundup and an eGift Card Giveaway today! I can’t believe it’s already November. The weather has definitely shifted although the forecast predicts warm weather in the high 70’s to low 80’s here in San Diego the air feels dry and my skin has definitely felt it. I’ve been pulling a number of creams, oils and lotions to see what works best for dry sensitive skin and hope to have a roundup of the best very soon.
For Instagram I receive quite a few questions on the items I post. I tag everything to make it easy for you to identify anything that piques your interest – they’re meant to be highlights, previews or snippets of what I’m loving at the moment. Here’s a roundup with some more details:
My desktop is always cluttered with item I’m testing, swatching or simply just using. I know I’ve promised a beauty organization post and I promise it’s coming! I’m a perfectionist when it comes to finding just the right items finding storage solutions that work has been a long process. Anyways on my desktop: the MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinishes (my favorite is Beaming Blush) and Glossier Serums (I bought these to see if they live up to the hype). One item I ordered from the Sephora VIB Rouge sale was the Elizabeth and James Find Your Nirvana Rollerball Set and it’s sooo cute! My favorite is still Nirvana Black. Also on the desk are a couple NARS Velvet Lip Glides (review here).
The founder of The Dry Bar Alli Webb just released her first book Good Hair For All. I was thrilled they sent me an advance copy. I love that it’s hardcover, has great photos and is easy to follow. I haven’t tried any of the tutorials but I they look like it’s actually possible to do the styles yourself.
Two things I love for dry skin are the Lanolips Balm in Strawberry (available at Ulta and Net-A-Porter) and the Jo Malone Germanium and Walnut Hand Cream (picked up from Nordstrom). The Lanolips is one of the best balms I’ve tried I was really surprised as I did not know what to expect.
One of my outfit flatlays, you can see the Coach Clutch here, Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow Med-Dark here, Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation and Shimmer Shots here. Top is by Joie (no longer available), flats by Chloe, jeans by Frame. The Dior Addict Gloss in Nude is one of the prettiest soft pinks I’ve ever tried. I highly recommend it!
Diptyque Noisetier, Figuier and Feuille de Lavande recycled with the Lanolips Net-a-Porter Duo shown. The Noisetier is hazelnut and one of my favorite home scents for fall.
Many of you have asked about my pets and how I manage their white fur. Short answer is that it’s a lot of work and it’s daily. We have 3 furkids, one ragdoll cat and two Jack Russell Terriers. As you might imagine they shed and have lots of energy so their fur gets everywhere. We have to vacuum multiple times a day, are always well stocked on swiffers and lint rollers. The lifesaver has been the iRobot Roomba 650 – we have gone through 3 variations in past the 11 years we’ve had our pets so they do last a long time (also available at Macy’s). It can be programmed to go off at scheduled times, has separate sensors towers so you can control where it goes. It does a great job at picking up hair, dust, lint etc. on hard surfaces and they are really easy to maintain and clean out. For the rug it does an ok job but we still need to vacuum with a regular one. If you have pets or kids even I highly recommend it. I have the iRobot Roomba 877 on my wishlist as ours probably needs to be replaced soon.
Aesop released a new item called Redemption Body Scrub. I’ve been a long time fan of the Geranium Body Scrub. The new one has a more invigorating scent and also has oils to help nourish the skin. Le Labo Santal Shower Gel is a splurge but I love it everytime I repurchase it. One of the best dry skin remedies is First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. It helps with irritated skin, is gentle, hydrates and doesn’t sting. If you haven’t tried this before I suggest looking at the Minis Kit – you won’t regret it.
One of my favorite scents for fall is still Bal D’Afrique. Fall scent and fragrance roundup in this post here. I’ll have a home scent roundup for fall to winter soon.
I use Truffle pouches daily and my current favorite is the Clarity Clutch Mini because it’s small enough to fit inside purses without taking up a lot of room. You can see the black mini in action here and here.
I will have reviews of the Louis Vuitton Parfums and CoverFX Enhance Highlighter Click Sticks up. I feel as though I have a lot of items on my to-do list that have been there forever. I’ve been pretty good at managing things and life in general but have been battling borderline burnout for the past month. So I thank you for your patience when you see that I say posts are “coming soon” but feel like it’s taking forever!
Last but not least I’m having another giveaway – it’s my way of saying thank you and giving back. In a world filled with thousands of blogs out there I’m touched from the bottom of my heart that so many of you return to read this labor of love on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. The eGift Card Giveaways seem to be the most popular choice. I also have some backups I have in my stash of hard to find items that I will be giving away in the next few weeks so stay tuned! For this one, simply enter for a chance to win through the widget below. Details:
I’m giving away five $100 eGift Cards to Sephora.com (US site)
It’s open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to enter
It will run through November 11, 2016 10:30 AM PST
Five distinct winners will be selected at random and contacted by e-mail from me
Each selected winner will receive one $100 eGift Card to Sephora
Please refer to terms and conditions for all details
The giveaway has a few fun interactive questions so check out the options in the widget 🙂
Good luck! I have lots to share and review coming up on the blog and can’t wait. I sometimes feel like I need to clone/replicate myself to edit and accomplish things faster. If you have any tips or tricks on battling burnout let me know in the comments! I’ve been trying things and so far have been able to manage stress by making lists, making a point to exercise daily, eat better to feel better from the inside out, I’ve juiced on and off for the past year and can share what I’ve tried if you’re interested!
