Beauty Favorites Archives - The Beauty Look Book

10 Things I’m Loving Right Now

September 22, 2020

Today I have a 10 Things I’m Loving Right Now post and I’m rounding up my top beauty favorites right now. Narrowing down the list to ten items was a bit of a challenge as there are quite a few things I have in rotation. Here is the edited version! I had a couple questions for comparisons so I’ve added some notes below.

Lip Favorites

1. Chantecaille Lip Veil in Plumeria* has made it to my favorites for the perfect medium-sheer formula with a lovely shine. On the face and swatched in this post here.

2. MAC Powder Kiss Liquid Lip Color in Date Maker is one of the newer formulas from MAC. They made their Powder Kiss formula into Liquid Lipstick form. I bought a couple colors but Date Maker is my favorite – it has impressive lasting power, doesn’t look too dry on the lips even though it’s matte and I love the color.

3. Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Walk of No Shame is the latest addition to the lip plumper gloss formula from Charlotte Tilbury. It’s a pretty soft reddish tint. This formula is amazing in all the colors – it’s actually the one that gets me the most compliments and questions when I wear it on IG Stories! I swatched the new Collagen Lip Bath in Walk of No Shame next to Pillow Talk and Rosy Glow below for reference. It’s a nice plumping gloss that has minimal tingle. (Also added swatches of the new Jewel Lips glosses below which are more pigmented and have some sparkle.)

4. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is worth the hype! It makes my lips soft and moisturized. I had some bad flaking and peeling going on and after using this it helped tremendously. I’m not the biggest fan of the packaging style since the tube doesn’t retain its shape when you squeeze it. But I really do like the formula.

Body Care

5. Chanel Huile Douce Gentle Oil for Hair and Body* this has been a favorite for nearly a year now (featured photo is an older one I took) and it is barely half used up because a little goes a LONG way. I love it soft fresh scent it has, it absorbs into the skin nicely, doesn’t feel too greasy or heavy. If I use it overnight on the body I wake up with baby soft skin. I haven’t used it much on the hair but love it as a body oil all over.

Some of you have asked about other body recommendations so I’ve added them in this post to leave a few notes:

Augustinus Bader Body Oil was a recent splurge and I do like it but find it a bit sticky in the finish. It is richer in formula than most oils I’ve tried and is super hydrating. It leaves a veil of moisture on the skin and makes the skin feel like it’s protected. I like that it is not scented, it didn’t irritate my skin at all, left legs and arms hydrated, but I don’t like the sticky feel. It doesn’t have a dry down or smooth feel like other oils do. It has a little hole in the top to control how much oil drips out. I think it’s good and really does hydrate, but I prefer the Chanel feel and formula.
Kate Somerville Dry Skin Saver is one of the best unscented body creams I’ve tried. I’ve used it for years and it helps on days I have irritated skin. I think it’s reasonably priced and absorbs into the skin nicely. It’s a great no fuss no gimmick kind of product that does what it says it will do. Andrew likes this one as well! (You can still use my code SABRINA20 to save 20% off at Kate Somerville until 9/30)
Necessaire Body Lotion is another great unscented option. In terms of how rich/thick it is I would say this is one of the lighter weight lotions for the body. For me that’s a huge plus as it absorbs quickly and nicely into the skin without feeling greasy or heavy. This is a nice unisex option as well. I felt this might have been one of those overhyped products as the ads are everywhere on my feed. I do think it’s worth the hype.

Bronzer

6. Gucci Eclat Soleil Bronzing Powder in Shade 3 has made my favorites list for powder bronzers. I have gotten SO many questions about this bronzer asking

which shade is my favorite? Shade 3 is my favorite (all three swatched and reviewed here)
do I recommend Gucci or Charlotte Tilbury? I prefer the Gucci because I like a tiny bit of shimmer and glow. The Charlotte Tilbury options (reviewed here) are matte and have a more flat matte look to them which isn’t bad, I just prefer the ones from Gucci.

Rose Blush

7. Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush in Walk of No Shame is one of the prettiest soft warm rose glow blushes I’ve tried! This is a newer color in her blush formula which I LOVE for the subtle glow and color (I own all the shades). Many of you have asked whether I would recommend the Charlotte Tilbury Walk of No Shame or Hourglass Blush in At Night and I think it’s a tough pick! On my complexion the Charlotte Tilbury has a warmer finish with more glow to it while the Hourglass is a little bit more flushed cool-toned and has a more dressy feel (see At Night on my face here). If I had to pick one I would pick the Charlotte Tilbury option for everyday.

New Cle de Peau Beaute

8. Cle de Peau Beaute Radiant Fluid Foundation Matte launched recently and I think it’s amazing. It’s currently available at Nordstrom and Cle de Peau. I ordered two shades O40 (more golden/beige) and BF50 (darker and more olive) to try. I tan easily and at this time of year I’m normally more tan. However with everything going on in the world we have been limiting our beach trips and with hurricane season here we’ve had a lot of wind and rain so we haven’t been out as much as we’d like. Right now O40 is a great match for me. I can make BF50 work but it’s very olive and is a little too dark on me.

Formula is one of the best soft matte foundations I’ve tried. It has medium to full coverage, has minimal oxidizing when it sets/dries down, lasts all day, doesn’t look dry or cakey. I think it’s a winner! I haven’t tried other Cle de Peau foundation formulas in a long time so I can’t compare, but I really like this matte one.

Side notes: Cle de Peau also added new shades of the Concealer Stick and Radiant Corrector for Eyes. I ordered both in one of the new shades Buff which is a good match for concealing. I still like Ocher for some brightening on my skin tone. I will have a separate and more detailed review on this in an upcoming foundation roundup. For now I hope this helps you!

Swatches:

Quick look at the Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation Matte in O40 on my skin at the top. Bottom photo I’m also wearing the Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in Walk of No Shame on the Eyes, Cheek to Chic Blush in Walk of No Shame, Collagen Lip Bath in Walk of No Shame along with their Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara. Tee shirt is from Madewell.

Fragrance – Jo Malone and Le Labo

9. Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne is one of my favorite perfumes! It’s a unique unisex scent that has a mix of ambrette, sea salt and sage. It’s hard for me to describe but it’s the best year-round scent I own. I own it in multiple sizes in the 100 ml size and 50 ml size because I love it so much. The minis are harder to find but you can find it in a Wood Sage Sea Salt + English Pear Duo or Wood Sage + Peony Blush Suede Duo at Sephora. If you wait until holiday they usually have 5-piece mini sets as well.

10. Le Labo Another 13 is one I bought in the Nordstrom Travel Spray Duo with Santal 33 and Another 13. As with most of their perfumes you can find it in a wide range of size options and sets. Another 13 is a musky mix of amber, moss and jasmine. For me it is another hard one to describe but it feels fresh and musk but not too powdery. If you’re hesitant about buying perfumes without smelling them and don’t have a store near you – they have some discovery set options on their Le Labo website. If you’re a Le Labo fan can you tell me if I need to try any of their city exclusives?

Shown above: Clear black travel case from The Daily Edited, Nail Polish is OPI Let Me Bayou a Drink

That wraps up my Top 10 this month! Let me know if you want another one for skin, hair or home. Would love to hear about what you’re loving right now. I hope you are all doing well and staying safe and sane. We are hanging in there!

Press samples have a * next to them. All other items purchased by me.

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Beauty Favorites Loving Right Now

Summer Beauty Staples on Repeat

August 14, 2020

I’m rounding up a few of my summer beauty staples and favorites I’ve had in rotation lately. Even though we’re at home most of the time now having a routine to get dressed and put on some makeup helps keep me feeling more like myself and somewhat normal – even if it’s low key or super casual.

Summer Bases

For powder I will have a new updated roundup soon (my last Pressed and Loose Powder Roundup was in 2018! how time flies!). Right now I have a tie between the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish in Medium (always a favorite) and the new Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder in Honey*. It’s a new tinted setting powder with honey and yellow undertones. It leaves a soft satiny smooth matte for my medium tan skin, doesn’t have any flashback and lasts a long time.

For foundations and tinted moisturizers I recently shared my new Summer Base Edit in July reviewing new formulas. I do like to rotate but out of all the ones I’ve tried (new and go-to’s) my current top three right now are:

Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint in Medium Plus (review + swatches of all shades here)
Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte in Natural 6.0 (swatched + on the face here)
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation in Buff and Dusk (review here, this is the most long-wear foundation I own)

Best Cream Bronzer

The Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream is my go-to to warm up and add a natural bronzey look. You can see the full review here. A number of you asked what brushes I use for this and I added a few videos to my Instagram Story Highlights @beautylookbook under the CHANEL feature. I like the Tom Ford Brush 02, Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush, Real Techniques Brush 200 and Zoeva 135 Petite Face Brush* but you can use any cream product brush to apply and blend.

Luminous Summer Bronzers

I love so many formulas for bronzer. It is hard to pick just one favorite but one formula that I’ve used for years is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer. I prefer bronzing powders with a luminous shimmer (versus full matte) and the colors from Hourglass are frequently in rotation. Luminous Bronze Light and Radiant Bronze light are my favorites for the face, although if you’re fair they might turn orangey on your skin. In that case I would recommend you try Diffused Bronze Light or Nude Bronze Light as they have a different undertone. I will often use Diffused Bronze Light as an eyeshadow too.

I added a swatch of the new Ambient Lighting Infinity Powder which I can use as a soft all over glow powder (more on this in my powder roundup coming soon).

Eye Makeup Staples

My top three simple eye makeup staples this summer have been a good cream shimmer shadow like the By Terry Ombre Blackstars in Sunny Flash (swatched here), deep black eyeliner like the Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Eyeliner (reviewed here) and the new Pat McGrath Dark Star Mascara* (perfect for length and volume).

Top Summer Perfumes

I feel like it’s been forever since I did a perfume review or roundup but some of you have been asking what I’ve been loving this summer so here are my top picks. Jo Malone Yuja Cologne is a citrus-lover’s dream come true. It’s a soft sweet citrus and limited-edition. I’m considering buying the larger bottle before it’s gone forever.

For the ultimate soft white floral with a hint of coconut Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc has been a favorite for years. To me it’s similar to the classic Soleil Blanc, but right now I’m using the softer version.

My favorite citrus scent is the Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel in the Paris-Biarritz perfume. It has a mix of mandarin and lily for a softer citrus scent and to me is the perfect summer perfume. Since it’s warm and sunny most of the year in Florida I like this year round. (Mine shown is the travel size).

Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt is my year-round go to regardless of season. I think it works well for a unisex scent and is so unique to me. I try and get minis with GWPs anytime I can so I can carry one my purse. I also love their mini sets which is the best way to sample their perfumes to see which ones work best on your skin. The Jo Malone Cologne Collection Set from Nordstrom is a great value for the Anniversary Sale. Sephora has a Mini Discovery Set available too (smaller spritzers) and a few Mini Duos with Wood Sage + Sea Salt / Peony Blush Suede and Wood Sage + Sea Salt / English Pear and Freesia. I’ll link a few other sampler discovery sets in the widget at the bottom of the post.

Long-Wear Tan + Summer Lips

One thing I don’t use a lot of is self tanner. The Florida sun is enough to get a tan in just a few minutes even with sunscreen and being covered up. Still a lot of you have asked what a good self tanning product that doesn’t have a heavy scent and I always recommend the By Terry Tea to Tan*. You can use this on the face or chest and it doesn’t transfer on me. It’s really subtle – just spray on a brush and then buff it in anywhere you want a tan. It will wash off but when I use this it will last all day.

These days I have a love/hate relationship with lip products. It’s pretty annoying having to take off lipstick or gloss when you wear a mask outside. I still keep a balm or gloss with me in my purse out of habit. At home my favorite colors to wear are peaches or corals. I really love the Fenty Beauty Slip Shine in Tang Thang, Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Peachy Plump and the Sisley Le Phyto Lip Gloss in Paradise.

Below wearing: Eric Javits Hampton Hat in Cream (on sale at Nordstrom and Eric Javits), Rails Cotton Ellis Shirt in Small (similar from Topshop, more colors from Rails here), Celine 48mm Sunglasses, Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Peachy Plump, Smith and Cult Nail Polish in Poppy Papi*

Summer Accessories

I’m going to have a roundup of my favorite accessories soon as some of you have asked for side by sides and more try-ons in a single post for easy reference. I cannot live without sunglasses in Florida and I do not understand how some people can go outside without wearing them! The sun is so bright here it’s almost blinding. We’ve been in Florida 3 and a half years now and I’ve found hats to be essential. In San Diego I rarely wore hats even though it’s still pretty sunny there.

Left: I bought the Brixton Lera Straw Fedora and the Small size works for my head which is 22 inches around. Medium also works (accidentally bought this one in my Nordstrom haul) but definitely feels a little loose. I don’t like hats too tight because I get a lot of hair breakage. My Celine 48 mm Cat Eye Sunglasses were a splurge in Miami last year and I really love them. For hair I’m never without the Slip Pure Silk Scrunchies. They don’t cause any breakage with my color-treated hair and don’t leave hair kinks when tied. I’m currently about 1/2 way there to growing out my highlights. My latest splurge you may have seen on stories are the Chloe Sandals. I ordered the white ones in a Size 7 which fit perfectly (I’m usually a 6.5 or 7 with narrow feet).

Right: My favorite sun hat the Eric Javits Hamptons Hat (100% worth the splurge, currently on sale at Nordstrom and Eric Javits), Celine 50mm Polarized Brown sunglasses (on the face here), and the Marc Fisher Marina Tie-Up Sandals.

That wraps up my summer beauty staples roundup! Hope you found this helpful if you’re looking for any new perfumes or bronzers to try out. If you have any favorites you want to share please let me know in the comments!

Shop the post:

Press samples have a * next to them. Other items purchased by me.

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Beauty Favorites What's In My Bag

Favorite Makeup Bags

July 28, 2020

By popular request I’m doing an updated roundup of my favorite makeup bags. A number of you wanted a comparison between a few brands like The Daily Edited and Cuyana so after having tested several styles I have a review for you today! Many of these can double as travel bags – I have a separate article on travel packing and travel makeup bags you can read here. You can always click on my Packing Tips tag as well to see what I was able to fit in different cases on various trips. Today’s post focuses more on makeup bags for the purse, to organize essentials at home or day trips rather than travel.

The Daily Edited

The Daily Edited is a line I’ve used since 2017 and I think they have great products! The large cosmetic cases in Black and Taupe have held up really well since I bought them back in 2017. I’ve used them during moves, while traveling across country and on numerous vacations (see what I packed for a San Francisco trip here). Right now my two favorites from the brand are the Large Cosmetic Case and the Clear Cosmetic Case. I order these directly from their website and shipping is usually very fast.

The Daily Edited Large Cosmetic Case

The Daily Edited Large Cosmetic Case $100 – I have this style in two colors, Taupe and Black. I love that you can customize the monogram with different styles of fonts or icons! I opted for the blind embossing for a more subtle look with these but love the gold lettering too. The large size has a really wide base which makes it sturdy to stand up on its own without tipping over. It has one large open interior compartment inside. I like this style (versus having pockets) because you can fit more inside.

Made of saffiano leather, fabric lining large open interior
Measures 5.3″ high, 8.9″ wide and 4.3″ deep
Also available in a small size and duo set of small + large

The Daily Edited Clear Cosmetic Case

The Daily Edited Clear Cosmetic Case $60 is another favorite. This is smaller than the Large Cosmetic Case and is clear so you can see everything inside. I like that it’s smaller so it is easier to carry around in a tote. The PVC is easy to clean (I like to use Novus Plastic Clean). They make a flat clear pouch too but seem to be frequently sold out of the colors. You can see a side by side of the cosmetic vs flat pouch in this post here.

Made of clear PVC, leather bottom/edging
Measures 4″ high, 8″ wide, 2″ deep

Cuyana

So many of you have asked for more reviews on Cuyana bags. I think they make beautiful classic staples that will last a long time. Before I ordered my first item I didn’t think they would live up to the hype or be worth the price. However after buying several pieces I’ve fallen in love with the simple and minimalist designs! They’re well made and functional. The overall composition of the Cuyana bags is thicker than The Daily Edited. Shape, designs, material and sizes are also different. I cannot say that one is better than the other, they’re both different and special in their own ways.

Cuyana Leather Travel Case Set

Cuyana Leather Travel Case Set $120 (additional for monogram) – This is the set so many of you asked me to review. I like it a lot more than I expected to – I actually love it. The leather is thick and sturdy, I love the lining which is easy to wipe clean. The small one is perfect for on-the-go and the large one is nice for travel or larger bottles. I opted for the smaller font monogram but wish I had picked the larger option. (All sales are final for monogram pieces so I couldn’t exchange it.) Also a part of me wishes the monogram feature was included in the price like The Daily Edited, but I’m still happy with my purchase.

Made of a thick durable pebbled leather
Microsuede interior, large one has a flat pocket inside, small is open without a pocket
Large case measures 12″ wide, 7″ tall, 3.5″ deep
Small case measures 8″ wide, 5″ tall, 2.5″ deep

Cuyana Vanity Case and Tech Case

Two additional items I have are the Cuyana Vanity Case $95 and Tech Case $65. These are available individually and made of the same material as the Travel Case Duo. I’ve actually featured the Vanity Case in the Ecru color before but it seems they’ve recently updated it so it no longer has an exterior pocket and pouch. The Blush featured above is the current version. I like the Tech Case as a makeup bag but it’s also really nice to carry cords, chargers etc because of the compact size.

Vanity Case $95

Measures 9.5″ wide, 5.5″ tall, 3.38″ deep
Interior flat patch pocket

_______

Tech Case below $65

Measures 7″ wide, 3.5″ tall, 2.5″ deep

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Truffle

Long time readers know I’m a huge fan of the Truffle Clarity Jetset $88 and the Clarity Clutch Mini $40. Both are great for travel or for packing up essentials on-the-go. Having a clear pouch makes it easier to see everything inside so there’s not as much digging around trying to find things. The jetset option is compact enough to fit inside a medium tote or beach bag. The flat clutches won’t hold as much since they’re flat but it’s perfect for holding a few essential items and keeping things more compact/organized.

There are other variations and sizes available for travel. You can see other Truffle options I’ve used for travel in this post here.

Luxury Splurge: Dior

Last two are splurge items! I bought the Dior Oblique Jacquard Pouch in the blue variation and I love it! It’s made of a canvas material and has an interior pocket for cards if you want it to double as a clutch. It’s relatively small and petite so I can use it either as a super fancy makeup pouch or clutch. It measures 15 cm high by 19 cm tall and 5 cm deep. For reference I believe it’s similar in sizing to the Louis Vuitton Toiletry Case 19. This was more of a recent splurge purchase so I haven’t had a chance to use it very much but I love the print and think it’s just so beautiful!

Luxury Splurge: Hermes

The last splurge I want to share is a flat canvas pouch. I ordered the Hermes Bain New Yachting Case in the small size in Navy and Red (one for Andrew, one for me). They’re approximately 9″ wide by 6 inches tall, flat, made of canvas and perfect to carry small on-the-go things like a mini camera, small sunscreen, lip balm, mini perfume etc. It’s made of cotton canvas so I don’t know how long it will stay clean or last but I thought they were so cute!

Leather Care

I don’t usually use any product to treat or clean my leather goods, but I just started looking for some cleaners and moisturizers. Three options I’ve tried on a few makeup bags are from Coach and Cuyana – I really like the Coach set. I also tried the Cuyana Cleaner and it worked well to clean up small makeup smudges I had on the exterior of a few bags. I haven’t put them to an extensive test yet but plan on using them more. Many years ago I used to use Apple Guard and remember liking it but haven’t repurchased in a long time.

I had a recent mishap and accidentally splashed some nail polish remover on a leather wallet. Even though I wiped it immediately it still left some marks and made the leather look dried out with a slight white cast. After some research I decided to try the Coach Leather Moisturizer on it and thankfully it restored it back to normal! If you have any that you love let me know in the comments.

That wraps up my current favorite makeup bag roundup! Hope you found it helpful. Out of all the ones I own I can’t pick a favorite. I think the quality and look of the Cuyana bags are the most luxe with the thick pebbled leather, but I also love how durable and sturdy the saffiano is with The Daily Edited.

Do you have a favorite makeup bag or bags? Let me know in the comments!

Shop the Post:

I’m hosting a summer giveaway! Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to enter. ONE person will be selected from the entries in the widget below to win a $200 eGift card to either Cuyana or The Daily Edited. Simply use the widget and complete ALL the entry steps (partial entries will not qualify). Giveaway runs through August 1, 2020 11:45 PM EST. I’ll select a winner within 72 hours after the giveaway ends and email them directly. Selected winner must respond within 72 hours or another person will be selected in their place. Not sponsored or affiliated.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Beauty Favorites Nordstrom

Beauty Favorites to Kick Off Summer

June 22, 2020

above: summer hat / sunnies / lace-up strappy sandals

It’s officially summer so to celebrate I’m rounding up some of my summer beauty favorites to kick off the season! I’ve been putting quite a few new makeup launches to the test for eyes, lips and cheeks. Today I’m partnering with Nordstrom to share my top picks for bronzers, peachy lips and shimmery eyeshadows.

NARS Laguna + Laguna Matte

So many of you have asked for bronzer recommendations! I have several tried-and-true favorites but always like playing with the new launches. NARS Laguna Bronzer has been a go-to for years. This year they launched an extensive collection with shimmers and also added a Matte Version. I prefer shimmer in my bronzer for a bit of glow but the NARS Laguna Matte is a really nice true brown/bronze alternative for those who need something without any shine.

Below wearing the classic NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna, Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss in Wild Card, Chantecaille Luminescent Eye Shade in Lion + Giraffe. Brush is the Laura Mercier Blending Brush (but I also love their bronzing brush for a larger fluffy option).

MAC Bronzing Collection Picks

Although I love shimmery bronzers I just hauled the new MAC Radiant Matte Bronzing Powders in Beiging Beauty and Totally Taupeless and think I’ve found my new holy grail mattes. They have a very tiny bit of radiance in the powder but apply on the skin like a matte. The formula is creamy powder with a natural super smooth buildable finish. Beiging Beauty is the lighter slightly warmer option while Totally Taupeless is a deeper neutral-cool toned bronze.

Wearing MAC Beiging Beauty below and Tom Ford Ultra-Shine Lip Color in Veridique

A number of you had the new MAC Strobe Body Lotion in Bronzelite on your radar and when it finally popped up online at Nordstrom I ordered it immediately! I find it challenging to find a good smooth body shimmer that isn’t too glittery. The MAC Strobe Body Lotion has an ultra fine glow so it leaves your skin looking skin is radiant versus looking like a disco ball. It has a soft light peachy glow with a hint of bronze pearl. It’s a lotion so it is hydrating but lightweight and also has the signature strobe cream scent.

Peachy Lips

I love a good peachy lip of any undertone, intensity and finish. There are so many variations for light peach, coral, shimmer, cream, sheer, gel etc. I pulled quite a few to swatch and compare for you. Everyone seems to have a different color in mind when they think of a peachy color!

Ones I love along with a few new ones:

Tom Ford Ultra Shine Lip Color in Veridique is a bold full coverage shiny bright coral peach
Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss in Wild Card is a pretty bright but sheer peach with a nice shine and moisturizing finish
Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss in 744 Subtil and 166 Physical are two peachy shimmers, Subtil has more of a pink/gold undertone while Physical has a more orange/gold tone
Armani Ecstasy Mirror Lip Gloss in 101 Beyond is like a jelly gloss liquid lipstick, this is a pink peach with buildable coverage, once it sets it is budge-proof like a liquid lipstick but with the shine
Cle de Peau Radiant Liquid Rouge Shine in Bird of Paradise is the best bold coral gloss I’ve tried
Givenchy Le Rose Perfecto Liquid Balm in 30 Vital Glow is a soft peachy orange balm
Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Peachy Plump is a sheer peach infused with gold shimmer to plump and hydrate the lips

Below wearing Armani Ecstasy Mirror Gloss in 101 Beyond (pulls peachy pink on my complexion) with MAC Radiant Matte Bronzer in Totally Taupeless

Below wearing Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss in Wild Card – I find it still has a lot of color even though it’s a sheer tint!

Bronze-Gold Luminescent Eye

Last but not least, a bronzey shimmery eye for summer is an absolute must-have for me. I love layering and mixing coppers and bronze shades over regular powder eyeshadows for added depth and glow. Sometimes I can just use one of these all over the lid and then add a liner + mascara for an easy everyday look. My favorites include:

Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Copper for a nice all over wash of warmth + shimmer, once it sets and dries it does not budge
Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadows are my most-worn eyeshadows as toppers! I sometimes mix colors together or layer them with other powders, Foil is a metallic gold, Burnish is a pretty bronze, Ray is a sparkling taupe bronze
Chantecaille Luminescent Eye Shades are some of the prettiest eye shimmers I’ve tried! I like applying these with a finger to pat and blend, Lion is a pretty golden shade and Giraffe is a deeper bronze shimmer (I want to order all of them!)

That wraps up my beauty favorites to kick off summer! I hope you found some inspiration for new beauty launches to try or add to your routine. Do you have any favorite bronzers, shimmery eyeshadows or peachy lips?

You can find all of my picks available at Nordstrom. Don’t forget to check out their Gift With Purchase page if you’re shopping online!

Shop my summer beauty favorites:

Summer sandals, favorite sun hat + sunnies below:

Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.

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Beauty Favorites Loving Right Now

Beauty Favorites I’m Loving Right Now

June 11, 2020

I’m back with a loving right now favorites post! I hope you are all well and safe – I’ve been taking some time offline. Many thanks to those who have e-mailed me to check in – we are well! Experiencing some serious heat, humidity and storms but well and safe. Our two fur babies send you some snuggles and hugs from our home! Several of you have asked for an updated spring-to-summer favorites list so I’ve put together a list of beauty favorites I’m loving right now for you today.

Hand Care

Augustinus Bader recently launched The Hand Treatment ($50 for 50 ml) and of course I had to try it! I ordered it online and it shipped relatively fast. It doesn’t have any fragrance but has a sterile kind of smell to it. I found it smoothing and nourishing. It has a semi-thick feel and almost has a velvety dry down. The first few times I used it I felt it was too thick for me – but I was using too much. A little goes a long way. Since I’m indoors most of the time now it’s perfect, especially since my skin gets dried out from constant air conditioning.

They also have a Hand Sanitizer (50 ml) with 68% alcohol that is available online where they only charge shipping (one per household, while supplies last). I ordered mine a few weeks ago but it still has not shipped but if it’s still in stock by the time I receive it I will definitely review!

Chanel La Creme Main and La Creme Main Texture Riche are still my favorites for the formula, packaging and drydown. If you need something more hydrating L’Occitane remains one of the best tried-and-true lines for me. I love their limited editions, in particular the Ultra Light Hand Creme in Violet (also available in this cute set on sale). I find the L’Occitane prices more budget-friendly too.

Lip Care

These days I’m all about balms, especially since we are at home most of the time. The lock down has been lifted in phases and things have slowly started to open up but it varies by area. I feel like all I’ve been wearing for months now is lip balm or gloss balms! The creme de la creme of balms is the By Terry Baume de Rose. They have a cute limited-edition packaging option this year for summer. It’s thick, lush, hydrating and while extremely expensive will last a long time. The next best more affordable alternative I’ve found is the Fresh Petal-Soft Rose Lip Cream. I’m also love the Sugar Advance Therapy Lip Balm (I keep this on my night stand) and the flavored Coconut Sugar Hydrating Balm is another delicious favorite.

For a tinted balm I’ve been reaching for the NARS Afterglow Tinted Lip Balms the most (still). Review + swatches here. My most-worn colors are Torrid, Dolce Vita and Fast Lane but they’re all really nice.

111Skin

For some more self-care indulgence I’ve been loving 111Skin. The Rosegold Line has been in heavy rotation. I started using the Rose Gold Set which includes the Rose Gold Radiance Booster and Sheet Masks last Christmas and love them for adding a beautiful glow. The Radiance Booster Serum has a super fine rose gold shimmer to it which I think is so beautiful. It’s not like a highlighter so it’s definitely something I feel like I can wear or mix in with moisturizer on a daily basis. I love the Eye Masks as well. You can find these at a wide range of retailers like Nordstrom, Revolve, Space NK etc. If you order on the 111Skin website they offer the masks in singles (versus the packs).

Fragrance

The humid hot weather is here which means I feel like I can wear my summery citrus scents more! I was able to track down some GWPs with mini samples of the Jo Malone Blossoms Collection and the one I fell in love with is Yuja. It’s a citrus orange with some sage and amber. To me it’s like a sweeter less sharp version of the Lime Basil and Mandarin. I ordered the travel size and am obsessed. I may order the larger one too since it’s limited-edition.

Other Jo Malone favorites are the Basil and Neroli (sweet floral citrus) and Wood Sage and Sea Salt (woody unisex). I started ordering some things from the Jo Malone website as they have really good gift with purchase options. Nordstrom also has good ones as well (they have the minis of the Wood Sage and Sea Salt + Poppy Barley right now). I rediscovered their Body and Hand Wash and have stocked up on several scents. They last really long on my skin!

Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel in Biarritz has been a favorite for a very long time now. It’s one of the best fresh citrus + lily scents I’ve tried. I love that it also comes in a travel mini size. The Shower Gel is a super luxurious splurge that’s on my repurchase wish list.

Glow Makeup

Three glow makeup loves I’ve had include are for that natural glow. I’ve rediscovered the Tom Ford Soleil Glow Foundation in Natural 6.0 and really love how naturally radiant it looks on the skin. It’s marked down at 30% off at Nordstrom which makes me a bit worried it’s going to be phased out. It’s a gel-serum formula with medium natural looking coverage that adds some natural glow to the skin.

To add warmth and shimmer to the complexion I’ve been using the By Terry Brightening CC Serum in Sunny Flash almost like a bronzer (or I’ll mix it in with foundation).

For eyeshadow my absolute favorites this season are the By Terry Ombre Blackstar shades in Immaculate Light, Rose Elixir and Sunny Flash. I’ve ordered a backup set which I rarely do anymore but I think these colors are perfect! Swatches of all three here.

Sunscreen

slides from APL, sunnies Ray-Ban

So many of you have asked for an updated sunscreen roundup since the one I did a few years ago. Several of my usual go-to’s have been reformulated so I started trying new formulas. Unfortunately it seems that I’ve developed more sensitivities to various formulas and I’ve had so many allergic reactions I’m scared to try anything new. Right now my favorite sunscreen brand is still Supergoop! – I’m really happy to report most of their new and improved formulas still work for me.

For the face I rely on their Unseen Sunscreen with SPF40 or their Glow Screen with SPF40. For the body I like their Glow Oil because it works well in humid weather for me.

Bronzer

Last but not least a bronzer update. I still really do love the Chanel Les Beiges 2020 collection that launched earlier in the spring. Many of you have asked,”which formula is better: the Chanel bronzers or new Charlotte Tilbury bronzers?” I always love a little bit of glow so for me Chanel wins hands down. After months of wear time, the Les Beiges Soleil Tan Bronze cream bronzer has not irritated my skin even though it has coconut oil and many of you were concerned about this. Your mileage may vary though depending on your skin type. For those who missed out, it has restocked several times online at Chanel.com. I don’t have any info on when/if it will launch at Nordstrom, Neimans, etc. – it has in past years, but given the current climate with COVID-19, I’m not sure if it will.

That wraps up my beauty favorites that I’m loving right now. I’ve kept things minimal but still have been enjoying things that spark joy. As we transition to warmer weather I’ve been changing my skincare so I’ll have an updated skincare routine soon. There are some more summer launches I’m excited to share including Chantecaille summer and new Westman Atelier. I have some more fun roundups in the works which I think you’ll love.

Sending you my best wishes for health, safety and calm during this time. If you have any beauty favorites you’ve been loving now whether it’s a new discovery or tried and true favorite, let me know in the comments!

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I’m doing a giveaway including some of my favorite things.

Running from June 11th to June 14th, 2020 11:59 PM EST.
Due to shipping restrictions this is for US Only, 18 years or older.
Simply complete at least 1 of the steps in the widget below. The more steps you complete, the more entries you will receive.
ONE person will be selected via the widget below to win: (1 sheet) 111Skin Rosegold Sheet Mask, (1 sheet) 111Skin Rosegold Eye Mask, The Daily Edited Flat Pouch (almond), Chanel La Creme Main Texture Riche, Fresh Sugar Lip Balm (mini), MAC Lipstick in Mocha, MAC Mini Strobe Cream, Pat McGrath MTHRSHP Golden Opulence Palette.
Winner will be selected and e-mailed within 72 hours after giveaway ends. They must respond within 72 hours or another person will be selected in their place.
Prizes usually ship within a week.
Not sponsored or affiliated.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Press samples featured include the By Terry CC Serum, By Terry Ombre Blackstar, Fresh Petal-Soft Rose Lip Cream, Supergoop! Sunscreens and NARS Afterglow Lip.

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Beauty Favorites Home / Interiors

Best Decorative Trays for Your Vanity + Beauty Products

May 21, 2020

Today I’m rounding up all of the best decorative trays for your vanity! I’m always on the hunt for better ways to organize, display and store my beauty products. I love trays of all shapes and sizes because it helps me keep things in place and makes things look less cluttered! So many of you have asked questions about where I get all of my trays so today’s post is a comprehensive roundup.

Many of you have also asked for an updated makeup storage/organization post. You want to know how I store everything from the best acrylic organizers, boxes, shelving, drawers etc. I haven’t done one since we were in San Diego in my Home Loft Tour (3 years ago!). We’ve done a lot of moving around over the last few years since we’ve moved to Florida. I feel we have been in a long transition phase as we took our time to explore the different areas of Tampa Bay. We’ve finally found an area we truly love that feels like home to us now. I will be putting together my full beauty organization setup in a separate post. Today’s roundup focuses on all my vanity trays.

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Restoration Hardware Bath Tray

Measures 12″W x 7½”D x 1¼”H

I’ve loved and used my Restoration Hardware trays for years! It’s held up really well over many years and moves and it’s such a classic piece. The one you see in most of my photos is their White Italian Carrara Marble Bath Tray and it’s a single solid piece of marble with the center interior carved out. It looks like the rectangular ones I own have been discontinued from their website although some of their other Bath Accessories are still available. I’m trying to find a high quality dupe but haven’t found one yet.

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Crate and Barrel French Kitchen Marble Rectangle Tray

Measures 14″W x 8.5″D x 1″H

I ordered this Crate and Barrel French Kitchen Marble Tray because of the rave reviews and the $39.95 price seemed like a steal! I think for the price it’s a great buy. However it is not a single piece of solid marble. The base and four sides are bonded together with some kind of smooth white grout or epoxy which is visible where the pieces are connected. The cut isn’t 100% exact so some of the corners have more white grout/glue showing in between the corner lines than others. It’s not a deal breaker and overall it’s well made. Also this is not totally noticeable once you have product (or food) set on it.

Side by side of the Crate and Barrel (larger on the left) tray next to the Restoration Hardware Tray (smaller on the right). If you look closely at the photo, you can see the white grout showing in the corners on the top right and bottom right corners of the Crate and Barrel Tray – I do think each piece will be different though. Yours might not show any!

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Goop Marble Petite Round Tray

Small measures 8″ in diameter, 1.5 inches high

I love the small but still practical size of the Goop Marble Petite Round Tray ($50). I do not think it’s carrara marble as the veining and coloring isn’t quite as nice as other marble furniture pieces I own, but I think it’s really well made and I love the size. The Petite Size is currently in stock ($50 for 8 inches) and I just ordered the Grand Size ($80 for 12 inches, currently on waitlist). They’ve restocked multiple times since I first ordered mine. More views of it and full breakdown of the makeup in the photo listed in my Everyday Makeup Favorites post here.

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West Elm Marble Cheese Board Round

Measures 14 inches in diameter (from my Best of Cle de Peau)

I love West Elm! I stalk their site on a weekly basis. Their Marble and Brass Cheese Board Round ($49.50) is perfect for our kitchen to display a few candles and room sprays. I also borrow it for a prop on some of my beauty shoots from my Best of Cle de Peau, Charlotte Tilbury review and Hair Care Favorites to name a few. I really should just order a second one.

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Marble and Brass Cheese Board – Rectangle

Measures 14″w x 10″d x 2″h

I also love the rectangular Marble and Brass Cheese Board ($49.50). You’ve seen this in my bathroom, on my vanity, on my desk etc. It’s heavy and I love the quality. There are some other options that I think are super cute including the Cake Stand (could double as a stand for beauty products) or their Marble Brass Footed Board.

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Acrylic Trays

CB2 Measures 14″W x 6.25″D x 2″H

I’ve gone through several acrylic trays over the years. I had some larger square options from West Elm and CB2 that I loved but got rid of over some past moves. Acrylic tends to scratch as you move product over the surface (even the sturdy durable options). Over time they wear down. I do like the CB2 Acrylic Tank Tray for my sunglasses and also for my desk. Note that this style does not have rubber feet (I added them on my own) so if you don’t want it sliding around I’d recommend adding them. They’re easy to find at a wide range of places. I ordered some from Amazon and really like them. The Container Store has some options for acrylic trays which are decent and functional, but in my experience not the best quality.

For those curious the sunglasses from top to bottom in the photo: Black round (Celine), Brown square (Tom Ford), Honey brown round (Ray-Ban), Beige round (Ray-Ban), Dark brown round (Ray-Ban), Pink small (Chanel, old style).

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West Elm Mirrored Trays

Small Size Measures 15″ x 10″

I love the look of mirrored trays, especially with any brass or gold accents! However they’re high maintenance as they scratch easier than other surfaces and show every speck of dust or finger prints. Mirrored trays are easy to clean, I just find I have to clean and dust them frequently. This Fishs Eddy Gilded Cafe Mirror Tray – Brass from West Elm has held up for many years though. It’s the same one I’ve had since I lived in San Diego. There are a few scratches as it has been well loved. I have the small size but they have a larger option too.

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Lacquered Trays

Medium Shown measures 7.2″w x 10″d x 1.1″h

Most of my lacquered trays (gloss or matte finish) have been from West Elm. I’ve loved and used them from years! I’ve bought them long before I started blogging. As we’ve moved around I have switched and rotated them with other styles. This one is the Color Block in the Medium Size. I like that it’s on the compact side and easy to fit in small places/shelves. They also have other colors and sizes which I have but haven’t put to use yet. CB2 also makes nice options!

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Marble Wine Coaster

Measures 4.75 in diameter and 1.75 high

This Williams Sonoma Wine Coaster ($15.96 on sale) is the perfect size to hold a Byredo Candle or standard size Diptyque Candle. It’s also tall enough to store small things like my Slip Silk Scrunchies or rubber bands. Long matches from Tommy Bahama. Photophore from Diptyque (older style, but current versions here). Wick Trimmer from Diptyque.

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Small Marble Brass Inlay Tray

Measures 9″w x 4.5″d x 1″h

If you want an extra small tray to keep things super tidy, I think the Small Brass Inlay Marble Tray ($40) from West Elm is really lovely. It’s quite small and only holds a few things but it well made, heavy and looks lovely on the night stand, shelf or desk!

Trays added to my Ikea Billy Bookcase shelf (option is with doors):

A few extra tips on finding the perfect tray(s) for you:

Some trays do not come with anything on the base. You might want to buy a set of thin small felt pads if you have a surface that might get easily scratched. Adhesive bumpers/rubber feet are also another option if you want the tray to stay in place and prevent them from sliding around. I ordered a bunch from Amazon (also for furniture too). You can find these easily at Target or any home improvement store etc.
Look for products that aren’t labeled “tray.” Some other things will pop up on search that can double as display trays. For example on home good sites like West Elm or Crate and Barrel (etc.) type in the search bar words like dish, board, trivet, cake stand, coaster etc.
I tend to look for small to medium trays for beauty product storage as larger ones can get cluttered REALLY fast for me. If you’re organized it should not be an issue or problem at all though! I also have a console and shelves that are on the narrow side so finding a smaller tray has been ideal for me.
Sites like West Elm, CB2 and Crate and barrel often have sales on their sites. Lots are happening this weekend for Memorial Day. Target has some really nice affordable home decor options but the seasonal launches tend to sell out quickly.
If you stain your marble with watermarks or oil, it’s possible to remove by applying a baking soda + water mixture. Mix it into a paste and apply to the stained area. Leave on for 24 hours and then wipe away. For smaller stains that haven’t settled too long it should absorb any oil and remove them! This has worked for me when oil from skincare or water from a cup/jar has left a ring on my tray. Your mileage may vary depending on what the stain is made of, how big it is, how long it’s been there etc.

Beauty organization post to follow soon but leave all your questions in the comments below so I can add them to my list for FAQs! I hope you found this roundup helpful. I’m asked on a daily basis “where did you get your marble tray?” – the answer is usually that I have several! This post has them all in one place so now for reference.

Trays featured:

Other decorative accents/accessories featured:

Do you have any trays you love for your beauty products? Or do you tend to display them on a shelf, drawers or boxes? I’d love to hear how you organize your beauty stash!

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Beauty Favorites Nordstrom

Everyday Beauty Favorites

May 1, 2020

Today I’m sharing an updated roundup of my everyday beauty favorites! So many of you have asked what my daily go-to picks are for skin and makeup and I’m thrilled to partner with Nordstrom to share my favorites along with a few new recent discoveries I have added to my routine.

Base + Complexion

My go-to picks for a flawless but natural complexion has been a combination of products. Layering gives me the perfect coverage to even out the skin without making it look too heavy or flat. The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Sand combined with the Flawless Fusion Ultra Long-Wear Foundation in Buff is my combo to last all day. The Ultra Long-Wear Concealer is the most versatile concealer for me – it’s creamy and easy to blend so it works for highlighting or concealing dark circles in a natural way.

To add a more radiant glow to the complexion I’ve really been loving the new Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir for smoother brighter skin. I’ve only been using this for about a week now but love how it helps smooth the skin and prepares it better for foundation. If I could pick one cream highlighter to use the rest of my life, the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter would be it. It’s subtle enough to use on larger portions of the face and makes the skin look more alive with a natural glow. I use Shade 4.

Lip Care

For the lips I’m one of the biggest lip balm and lip plumper junkies! I’ve tried so many but the ones I’ve been loving right now are from MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, Fresh and Laura Mercier. The MAC Prep + Prime Lip is the best lip primer I’ve tried. This is not to be confused with a balm, this is a primer you apply on bare lips before lipstick or liner to help smooth the lip. It extends wear of your lip color and smooths the surface at the same time.

For lip plumpers the best non-tingle one I’ve tried is the Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath. She has a clear option called Refresh Rose, but I also like the tinted versions.

For balms the twist up stick version is what I prefer these days as it’s easy to just swipe and reapply. Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy gives instant relief and long lasting moisture. I recently bought the new Laura Mercier Lip Balm which is also a really nice smooth lip balm that doesn’t feel thick or heavy.

Neutral Lips

I love a good everyday nude lip and the colors I keep reaching for are usually in the same color family but have different levels of pigment and finishes. My top two favorites are the Sisley Phyto Lip Twist #11 and Cle de Peau Radiant Liquid Rouge Shine in Sepia. Other favorites swatched below including NARS Sheer Lipstick in Chelsea Girls, Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre in Pillow Talk and the three best Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Pencils. For an oil + tint I’ve really been loving the soft pink color of the NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tint in Reef as well!

Wearing Cle de Peau Sepia below

Eye Makeup Favorites

For eyes I think Tom Ford Eye Color Quads are among the best and easiest to use for everyday looks. Honeymoon has been one of the few I’ve hit pan on before and used up, it has a great mix for a neutral or warm smokey eye! A lot of you have asked what the best all-over lid colors are and I think the Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Rosegold is hands down the one I use the most. If you want more color the Tom Ford Cream Powder Eye Duo in Golden Peach is the next best one in my opinion! The best bronzey lid color is Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize in Bette.

For mascara and liner the two I’ve repurchased the most are the Chanel Le Volume Waterproof Mascara and Tom Ford Eye Defining Liquid Eyeliner (Cle de Peau is also really good and worth the splurge).

Cheek, Bronzer + Highlighter

For the cheeks, if I had to narrow down my top favorites to just four, my picks would include Tom Ford Sheer Highlighting Duo in Reflects Gilt (this doubles as a great wash of color on the eyes), Tom Ford Soleil Glow Bronzer in Terra (best neutral matte bronzer), Cle de Peau Cream Blush in #4 (makes for the best neutral beige blush) and Tom Ford Cheek Color in Love Lust (soft peach shimmer).

Body and Fragrance

Body care and fragrance are so personal as we all have different skin types and preferences. I’ve really been loving the Necessaire Body Serum as an alternative to body lotion. It’s fragrance free and lightweight but adds a nice veil of moisture on the skin. They have a Fragrance Free Body Wash which I’ve been obsessed with and plan on stocking up on. For hands it doesn’t get more chic than the Chanel La Creme Main hand creams. I like the Texture Riche formula for my dry hands these days. It has a nice drydown so fingers aren’t left sticky!

For perfume, I rotate depending on season, but my go-to’s these days are light and citrus options. The ones I wear the most for spring include the Jo Malone Earl Grey and Cucumber (fresh bergamot, cucumber and sweet), Jo Malone Basil Neroli (white musk and neroli) and Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel in Biarritz (fruity soft mandarin).

I hope you found this roundup helpful if you’re looking for some great everyday makeup that’s easy to wear and incorporate into your routine! You can find all my picks at Nordstrom – don’t forget to check out their Gift With Purchase page as well, they update offers on a regular basis!

More favorites here:

Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.

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Beauty Favorites

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Top Summer Perfumes

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The Daily Edited Clear Cosmetic Case

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Beauty Favorites I’m Loving Right Now

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Fragrance

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Sunscreen

Bronzer

Best Decorative Trays for Your Vanity + Beauty Products

Restoration Hardware Bath Tray

Crate and Barrel French Kitchen Marble Rectangle Tray

Goop Marble Petite Round Tray

West Elm Marble Cheese Board Round

Marble and Brass Cheese Board – Rectangle

Acrylic Trays

West Elm Mirrored Trays

Lacquered Trays

Marble Wine Coaster

Small Marble Brass Inlay Tray

Everyday Beauty Favorites

Base + Complexion

Lip Care

Neutral Lips

Eye Makeup Favorites

Cheek, Bronzer + Highlighter

Body and Fragrance

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