Many of you have asked for gift ideas for the best value beauty sets and I think hair care is one of the categories with the best options. I think hair care sets or tools are a no-fail option – every single person I know is always looking for a great hair mask or new tool to try. One of my favorite beauty gifts of all time was the Dyson Airwrap Styler (original version) which I use nearly every day.
With the Sephora sale in full swing I wanted to highlight my favorites in haircare. It’s a nice time to save on gift sets or something you wanted for yourself. I’ve split up my favorites by category. Use code SAVINGS at checkout to save:
Rouge Members save 20% off 10/28 to 11/7
VIB Members save 15% off 11/1 to 11/7
Insiders save 10% off purchases 11/3 to 11/7
Hair Tools
Here are my favorite hair styling tools:
ghd Platinum+ Styler – 1″ Flat Iron Gift Set with Paddle Brush & Heat Resistant Bag ($279)– This is my go-to hair styling tool for a sleek smooth hair look or easy curls. This holiday they have it in a value gift set with their Paddle Brush + Travel Case (love!!!). For those who want to see it in action you can see my natural hair state in this video. This really makes a huge difference!
ghd Paddle Brush ($35) – This is available in the gift set listed above and individually, I really love it. It’s the perfect size and and weight. Love that it’s sturdy and well made.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer ($429)– Love this for a good blow out. This is smaller than the Airwrap which makes it easier to travel with. I’ve had mine since 2017 and still love it to this day.
Dyson Airwrap Styler ($599) – I have the original of this and think it’s the best of the best. So many options with the attachments, easy to use, however if you don’t really curl your hair, opt for the Supersonic.
T3 AirLuxe Hair Dryer ($199.99) or Afar Lightweight Hair Dryer ($179.99) – While I think the Dyson is the best of the best, I understand it’s not in everyone’s budget. T3 also makes great tools (both of these are under $200). I’ve gifted these to friends and it definitely has a WOW factor.
I rotate frequently with hair care as there are so many great formulas out these days. My top 4 brands from Sephora include Oribe, Olaplex, Kerastase and Briogeo. There are different formulas for different hair types and needs. These are my most repurchased formulas:
I have to admit I’ve been neglecting hair masks this year but I started using them again and noticed a world of difference in smoothness and shine. These are my favorites
Since I use heat tools on a regular basis a leave in conditioner, primer or heat protectant is essential. There are tons of options and I know it can get overwhelming on which one to use and when. Here are my favorites and when I use them (a lot of these are versatile):
I hope you found this roundup helpful! I know there’s a lot I covered but I hope that having it split by category helps you navigate which products to shop by need. If you need any other hair care recommendations let me know in the comments!
Fall beauty is trickling in and I have a mini haul with first impressions to share with picks from Nordstrom Beauty today! So many of you expressed interest in the new foundation from Westman Atelier and the Cle de Peau lipstick reformulation. I’m excited to have swatches and thoughts to share with you today!
The Vital Skincare Complexion Foundation is one of the most dewy radiant bases I’ve tried. It has very natural coverage and is sheerer than the stick formula. I would say this is for normal to dry or dry skin types. It gives the skin a fresh faced glow. I like to use this layered with the stick foundation for more coverage and absolutely need to set with a powder. I like how natural it looks and skin feels well hydrated with this formula. For me it is a good layering base. I personally need more coverage to even out my skin so this is not one I can wear alone. Lasting power is pretty good for something this dewy – as long as I set with a powder well it stays looking fresh through the early afternoon without any touch ups needed.
There are quite a few new concealers out and I think the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Concealer just might be one of my favorites. I wear either Shade 6 or 7 neutral in her Beautiful Skin Foundation so I ordered the concealer in Shades 6, 6.5 and 7.5 to try. The colors seem to run a lot lighter than the corresponding number for the foundations but they do warm up a bit on the skin once they set. Shade 6 is what I like for brightening under the eyes and it turned out to be warmer and a bit darker than 6.5.
I love the buildable coverage. It blends out nicely and brightens my under eye perfectly. Love that it doesn’t cake or crease. Lasting power is excellent. It’s pretty much everything I want in an under eye concealer.
Cle de Peau has reformulated quite a few of their items and I ordered one of the Luminizing Face Enhancers in Shade 203 to try. I own this color in the older formula and am really impressed with the new one. It has more pigment and shimmer payoff compared to the original. The new one is still natural looking on the skin for a radiant multi-dimensional shimmer.
For the eyes I’ve been loving all the new Chanel launches. The Chanel Les 4 Ombres Tweed Palettes are stunning. For fall I think the Shade 02 Tweed Pourpre has a lovely mix of purples for the season. I rarely wear purples but this one ended up being very wearable for me. I also picked up the new Les 4 Ombres 58 Intensite which keeps selling out but I highly recommend tracking it down when it restocks! It has a neutral-cool toned color palette for plums. I swatched it next to Warm Memories for comparison.
wearing Chanel Les 4 Ombres Intensite below
The Chanel Noir Allure Mascara is a winner for me! It comes in the same style as the Rouge Allure Lipsticks in the most beautiful pop up case. I like the formula although I don’t think it will be for everyone. It’s a nice defining mascara that doesn’t clump or smudge. It holds the curl nicely but there are other formulas that are better at volumizing and thickening (like the Le Volume de Chanel).
Last but not least I have a quick look at the new reformulated Cle de Peau Lipsticks. I tried all three formulas in their Regular Lipstick, Lipstick Matte and Lipstick Shine. I’ve always thought Cle de Peau foundations were well worth the splurge but had mixed feelings about their lipsticks until now. The reformulation is incredible. At $65 each these are very spendy but the pigment is just beautiful. They have a smooth texture, rich color payoff and a lovely finish. Great lasting power and colors. The shines are sheerer than the other formulas but they have a beautiful glossy finish.
I have four of them on the lips below. My favorite is 13 Positively Playful although 11 Triumphant Tawny is a beautiful nude pink.
That wraps up my mini beauty haul! Lots more newness coming out this month! What do you have on your radar for fall beauty?
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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.
The new Rouge Allure Lipsticks have been solid winners for me too. I’ve been loving shades 194 and 196 the most. Below wearing 194. Swatches of all the colors I hauled here.
I’m still a neutral nail lover at heart these days. Out of all the new neutral shades that launched Harmonie is by best beige neutral. Swatches here. Stay tuned for more Chanel newness on the blog! I have the Tweed Palettes and new mascara review coming soon!
The Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eyeliners are pretty much the only eyeliners I wear these days. I love the buttery soft texture to line the eyes. The colors are ultra rich and pigmented. Since they are creamy I set with a powder shadow on top to help extend the wear. I use Cocoa and Black.
I received a PR package with the Phlur Missing Person mini perfume along with the Shower Gel and Body Lotion and fell head over heels in love. I ordered the full size Missing Person perfume from Sephora and have been wearing it non-stop. It’s a lovely floral musk you can wear year round. Has a natural almost skin-like vibe to it.
The Yves Durif Vented Brush now comes in a petite size and I ordered it recently from Saks. It’s just a tiny bit smaller than the regular version but just as good. I like having smaller options to travel with so this is perfect for me.
A lot of you shared lots of love for the Balmain Hair Clips I featured a couple months ago. I ordered the Medium size from Neiman Marcus and it sold out immediately. I just saw the Medium Tortoise pop up at Saks Fifth Avenue and ordered another Medium in Black and a couple Small Clips in White and Tortoise. These are really well made. I still don’t know how I justified the steep price tag in my mind but they’re really beautiful and I love them.
A few style loves this month I wanted to highlight! My love for mini bags continues although since upgrading my iPhone to the 13 Pro I’ve now found a few of my bags don’t fit my phone. The Bottega Veneta Mini Loop Bag luckily still fits my phone! This was a summer splurge and I still love it. The leather is soft and I love the woven design. I’m really beyond surprised I’ve managed to keep it clean (no stains or smudges!) without any effort. The leather has held up really well. They have this same style in a larger option which seems more practical.
Unboxing and mod shots here. You can see what fits inside here.
My obsession with Celine sunglasses continues and my favorite pair are the 52 mm Oval in Blonde Havana (ones in the middle below). I ordered mine from the Celine website.
I feel like I live in sandals and slides here in Florida, but I do also love comfortable sneakers. A number of you asked if I found the Veja Venturi Sneakers comfortable and I do! They’re chunky but not too chunky. I read reviews and went with a Size US 6/37 EUR (I’m a true 6.5 or 7 in other shoes). They fit well and there was no break in period. Available at Revolve, Free People, Shopbop.
Ollie is now 7 months old! We are still wondering if he’s full grown yet. It’s 15.7 pounds and they say he will be anywhere from 14-20 pounds.
That wraps up this month’s favorites! What did you love this month?
I’m the ultimate lip balm junkie. I always have at least one in my purse and a couple on my bedside table. It’s been a while since I did an updated roundup of my favorites! Since everyone has different preferences and tastes for what they want in a lip treatment, here are the best treatments I’ve tried. Split into 3 categories: clear treatments, tinted balms/oils and lip plumpers.
Clear Lip Balms & Treatments
I love a good clear lip treatment and there are so many formulas out there, it can be overwhelming. Here are the best ones I’ve tried.
La Mer The Lip Volumizer Lip Serum ($85 at Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus) is my most-worn lip treatment. It’s technically a lip volumizer, but I wear this as a balm. It has a smooth cushiony feel. Love that it has a wand/sponge applicator. I wear this at night when I’m sleeping because it hugs the lips nicely and smoothes them. Has a slightly minty scent. No tingle.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter ($23 at Sephora) is my second-most worn lip balm. I love the clear and tinted formulas. They perform equally well for a softly scented vanilla treat to the lips. Hydrating and smooth. Not sticky. Doesn’t feel like it will slide off the lips. Highly recommend.
U Beauty The Plasma Lip Compound ($68 at U Beauty, Saks, Nordstrom) was gifted to me by a friend. This is the first U Beauty product I’ve tried and it’s the ultimate splurge for the lips. It has a cushiony feel to plump and contour the lips. The metal applicator has an incredibly smooth cooling effect when you apply. It gives you that glass skin look for the lips. This one is unscented.
Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask ($28 at Sephora and Tatcha) is my favorite lip mask. It’s one I’ve used and loved for years. It’s one of the few in pot form that I’ll still use. These days I’m all about having a squeeze tube, wand or some sort of applicator instead. Hydrates, makes the lips soft, love the beautiful packaging too.
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm ($17 at Sephora) is the best flavored lip balm I’ve tried (one in the squeeze tubes). It is much better and more effective than the popular Lip Sleeping Mask which I’ve tried multiple times and just can’t fall in love. The Lip Glowy Balm is smoothing, hydrating, love the flavor options in Grapefruit and Gummy Bear.
Biossance Squalane+ Rose Vegan Lip Balm ($14 at Sephora and Biossance) this was an impulse buy at Sephora. After reviewing their skincare a number of you told me this was a favorite of yours from the line. It’s a really great thicker balm. If you’re looking for something that has a good thick texture this is a nice one to try.
Tinted Balms and Oils
For tinted options there are tons of great tinted balms out there. Most of them to me are more of a makeup product versus having skincare properties which isn’t bad. Sometimes I’m more focused on color, other times I want more hydration. These are some options I think excel equally for color + hydration.
Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss ($32 at Sephora and Nordstrom) are my most-worn lip oils. They’re a oil-gloss with tint and the best colors are Free Spirit (left) and In the Buff (right, it’s the one that always gets me compliments). They’re medium in pigment with a glossy finish. Love how they feel and look. Swatches here.
NARS Afterglow Lip Balms ($28 at NARS, Sephora, Nordstrom) if I had to pick one tinted balm formula to wear the rest of my life it would be the Afterglow Lip Balms from NARS. I have every single color and love them. They add the perfect amount of color and shine. Color featured is Dolce Vita. These are the ultimate lazy girl lip tints. Review here.
Hermes Hermesisitble Infused Lip Care Oil ($55 at Saks, Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus) these still remain my favorite lip oil for the fun scents, beautiful colors and hydrating formula. The applicator could be improved but the formula is so good I’m not going to dock points off. Review and swatches here.
Makeup By Mario MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum ($22 at Sephora and Makeup By Mario) love these for the hydrating soft balm formula and color. Every single color is beautiful. I’ve been ordering all of the Makeup by Mario exclusive colors that have been dropping Mondays this summer on their website. Will review + swatch soon.
Lip Plumper Treatments
I rarely use lip plumpers because I already have full lips. I’m also very sensitive to tingles so I tend to only use plumpers that have a more smoothing effect.
Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath ($35 at Sephora) is my favorite plumping lip product. It smooths lips, adds a lovely shine, adds volume. Refresh Rose and Pillow Talk always get compliment’s anytime I wear them alone or on top of a liner. Swatches here.
Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss ($38 at Sephora and Dior) are also staples in my routine. I almost always have one of these with me in my bag. They’re smooth without any sting. Love the color range for a sheer wash of color. My favorite is Rosewood which I’ve used up and need to restock.
Lawless Forget the Filler Lip Plumper Line Smoothing Gloss ($25 at Sephora) in Cherry Vanilla is 100% worth the hype. This formula has so many mixed reviews. Some love it, others hate it. I’ve tried a wide range of colors and like some of them, others are too pale and thick. Cherry Vanilla is the best one for both the formula and color. It’s a sheer red that gives you the most luscious glass like pink red pout. It’s what I wanted the Fenty Gloss Bomb Heat to look like (but that one stings my lips too much).
Patrick TA Major Volume Plumping Gloss ($24 at Sephora) are really nice! Love these for a glass like shine, smooth texture, soft hint of color. These have a subtle cinnamon scent to them.
Tarte
Last but not least I had to give a shoutout to Tarte. You girls know I’m a huge fan of the Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm ($21 at Tarte, Sephora, Ulta Beauty) for a tinted balm. They’re the perfect effortless swipe and go kind of lip balm. The best shades are Grapefruit and Rose.
I also really love their newer Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump ($21). The colors are all very wearable. These have a noticeable plumping effect on the lips with a tiny bit of tingle. 100% recommend both.
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What are your favorite lip treatments, plumpers or oils?
Rounding up a few new home favorites I’ve been loving lately! A number of you asked me to review the Diptyque La Droguerie collection and Dior Eden-Roc Candle so I have a roundup today!
I’ve fallen in love with the Dior Eden-Roc fragrance for a luxurious ocean salty kind of scent (best I can describe is that it has a similar vibe to Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt). The Dioriviera Limited-Edition Candle (1) is just as beautiful with a gorgeous Toile de Jouy motif on the exterior. I love everything about this candle from the porcelain container (design is not a sticker), subtle beige pattern, and aqua blue wax.
It has a strong throw just like the perfume. The limited-edition version with the design is a little more expensive than the regular candle (which is plain white on the exterior) but it’s 100% worth it. I loved it so much I bought another one and may buy a few more before it’s gone for good. It’s just so beautiful!
Diptyque launched their La Droguerie Collection and I ordered 3 things to try. Each item has a really nice earthy potent kind of scent, almost with an Aesop skincare. The Diptyque home cleaning line is eco-friendly with ingredients of natural origin. Both the Dishwashing Liquid (2) and Multi-Surface Cleaner (3) come in a sturdy glass jar with refills available for both.
The Dishwashing Liquid has a mix of orange blossom, mandarin and basil. It has an Aesop kind of vibe to the scent. A little goes a long way and I like that it suds up nicely and cleans dishes effectively. I’ll sometimes use it as a soak with 1-2 pumps in warm water although most of our dishes are cleaned in the dishwasher.
The Multi-Surface Cleanser contains vinegar in it but the scent is not too overpowering. The product itself is very potent with mixed notes of lavender, cedar and fig.
The La Droguerie Candle (4) has a green basil kind of vibe meant to be an odor-removing candle. It’s nice after cooking to help remove cooking odors but it’s also calming on its own. It has a green feel to it in the notes. Another great option to combat cooking smells is the Verveine Candle (lemon verbena).
I like all three and am glad I bought them. I don’t use the dishwashing liquid as much for dishes, it smells so nice I will sometimes use it to wash my hands. It is a nice splurge to wash things that can’t go in the dishwasher although I wouldn’t call it a must. Out of the three I’d say I like the multi-surface spray the most.
Diptyque added some new home décor items online although I wish they would sell everything they use to decorate their stores! I bought a few of the trays which I think are cute. I have the Oval Tray (Medium) shown above (5). It’s made of porcelain and I love the oval pattern.
Another scented item I love is the Jo Malone Moonlit Camomile Pillow Mist (6). There are two available right now, the other is the Lavender and Moonflower. Out of the two I prefer the Moonlit Camomile which has a very soft musk feel with a mix of chamomille and moonflower. Both are really nice. They’re strong enough to scent your pillows before you go to sleep but not so strong that it keeps you awake. I also still really love the Casper Glow Lights (7) I mentioned a while back (they’re still on sale at Nordstrom).
I love the décor from Anthropologie and love that they’ve been adding more sizes and designs to their Gleaming Primrose line. I’ve had the Gleaming Primrose Vanity Mirror (8) for a while now and it keeps selling out. It’s currently on backorder and I highly recommend ordering it now if you’ve had your eye on it. They also have a cute Brodie Tabletop Vanity Mirror and a Triptych Mirror Variation as well.
For vases we have a few we rotate in our home and I always get questions about the ribbed glass and porcelain options. I love the Lyngby Vases (9). I have them in both glass and porcelain vases. They come in a wide range of sizes and color variations for the glass. I like that they’re classic, simple and streamlined. I purchased mine from both Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma.
For the bathroom, I have a few recent loves. I’ve been on the hunt for some more body scrubs and found two that I love. I wanted something that had a finer texture than what I’ve been using and one that didn’t stick to the skin. Some scrubs are so hard to rinse off! The Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Resurfacing Body Scrub (10) was high on my radar since I love the face scrub. I really love this one on the body although use with caution if you’ve had a lot of sun exposure.
For a gentle body scrub that melts into the skin but doesn’t leave it oily the Biossance Squalane+ Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub (11) is amazing. It has enough grit to feel the exfoliation but melts into the skin like the Fresh Sugar Face Polish does (just for the body). It softens, smooths, hydrates, doesn’t leave a film and rinses off nicely.
I finally tried Phlur Missing Person* and love it (it’s a lovely floral musk). They just added body care to some of their scents in a Body Lotion and Body Wash* (12). Both are on the lighter side scent wise but it’s the perfect strength for me so it doesn’t overpower. The body wash has a gel texture and the lotion has a nicely hydrating finish with a nice drydown (absorbs nicely). They’re available at Phlur and I am I’m hoping they will pop up at Sephora like the perfumes (at this time Phlur doesn’t accept returns).
Last but not least, not technically new but I wanted to let you know two of my favorite trays are back in stock at Pottery Barn. The Square Quartz Stone Catchall is back and I think it’s one of my favorite trays.
The oval Agate Stone Catchall is also another one I love. Mine looks different from the stock image because the stone varies but I think it’s stunning! Glass Match Cloche is from Skeem Design, available at Anthropologie.
If you had questions about some of my home favorites I’ve featured recently I hope you found this roundup helpful! Anything you’ve been loving lately for the home?
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Press samples have a * next to them. All other items purchased by me.
By popular request I have my summer sunscreen roundup with all the formulas I’ve tried and loved recently! I have mainly used formulas from Supergoop!, Shiseido and Chanel but finally put more formulas to the test. My skin is very sensitive to extreme heat and sunscreen so I test with extreme caution. Here is what I’ve tried and thoughts. Up first are formulas for the body!
This is my all-time favorite sunscreen for the body. It’s the best I’ve tried that has a velvety dry down, longest lasting even in water and easy to spread even over wet skin (although I recommend applying on dry skin). It also helps protect against heat. It’s also formulated to use on the face but I use this one only on the body, neck, arms, legs. Love this value duo at Sephora.
I’ve loved and used this formula since the day it launched (have also repurchased numerous times). It has superfine light reflecting particles (it’s smooth, no chunky texture) and adds the prettiest shimmer and to the skin. Love that it’s smooth and hydrating.
This was one of my latest splurges – for me it was hard to find as it was almost always sold out but seems to be back in stock a few places. It’s one of the most expensive sunscreens I’ve tried and it is pure love. It glides on the skin smoothly. Has an anti-oxidant complex to nourish and hydrate the skin. Has a very subtle sunscreen scent which smells like summer to me. Love that it has a pump applicator. There is also a Soleil Superieur face version which I’ve used and loved before but it’s also quite expensive.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (2.5%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (8%)
This formula wins for the best scent. It has a nice smooth application. No pilling. Smells like a fun summer vacation. I love how the formula wears and performs. Two things though: I do wish it had a higher SPF and it doesn’t apply well on wet skin. If you’re in the water or super sweaty you will need to towel off before applying otherwise it doesn’t adhere. It has coconut oil, aloe vera, banana extract, Vitamin E and Niacinamide.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 3.0%, Zinc Oxide 8%
This formula is Andrew’s favorite and the only body sunscreen he uses. It’s the longest lasting even in water and with sweat. It’s one I order in bulk because Andrew goes through so much. Anytime we have guests in town we give them a bottle of this Jack Black formula (or Supergoop!) to use while they’re here because it’s the best at protecting skin and preventing sunburns.
It’s also available in 3-Pack of Minis at Jack Black. The only downside is that it’s so effective it is very hard to remove at the end of the day. You’ll have to give your body multiple scrubs with a washcloth or sponge. I’ll sometimes have to use a cleansing oil all over and let it sit to break down the formula before using a regular body wash. Andrew’s favorite is the Jack Black Turbo Wash (which I also borrow from time to time). The Big Sir Body and Hair Cleanser is also pretty good.
If you’re looking for the men in your life to up their grooming game, I highly recommend Jack Black. They have some good starter sets. I’ve bought this for Andrew, his brother, my brother, etc.
Sun Care Face Formulas
For the face I have stuck with a very small select group of formulas for the past three years. I am very sensitive to heat and sunscreen. With the wrong formula my face often reacts with red spots and flare ups when exposed to extreme heat. I still get review requests every week to review/test different formulas from you! This year I finally branched out and tried more after careful research and am thrilled to report that I have some new winners.
I’ve loved and used La Roce-Posay for a long time. It’s one that most of you love and use too. Three formulas I started using recently include the following:
The Anthelios Ultra-Light SPF 60* ($30.99) has a lightweight texture and semi-matte finish. It’s a white fluid but has no white cast on my skin. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5% and Octocrylene 7%.
The Anthelios Mineral Tinted SPF 50* ($34.99) is an excellent mineral formula I actually like and love. I find most mineral formulas don’t work for my skin type with the texture, but this is a really good one with a brown-beige tint. It disappears into the skin. Active Ingredient is Titanium Dioxide 11%.
The Anthelios Melt-In-Milk SPF 60* ($24.99 to $36.99, face & body, chemical sunscreen) is a great formula for the body. 100% recommend. Has a high SPF, melts into the skin, absorbs quickly. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5% and Octocrylene 7%. See them in action below!
The Tatcha formula works under makeup nicely and it has a velvety feel. The packaging could use a bit of work as the product sometimes will squirt out of the top once you open it. I haven’t had any flaking issues that you see online (not yet). This is more fluid in texture compared to their Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen with SPF 35.
The Summer Fridays formula is a really nice one I found works with me. Reviews seem to be mixed – definitely try a patch test first. I don’t think it’s the best long-wear formula if you’re outside for an extended period of time.
The Chanel UV Essentiel SPF 50 ($55) and CC Cream ($55) have been in my top picks for years. I love the ultra lightweight texture of the UV Essentiel and I don’t sweat a lot on my face so this works for me (it didn’t work for Andrew, he sweats more). Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Titanium dioxide 3.8%, Zinc oxide 17.1%.
My most-worn sunscreen is the Chanel CC Cream with SPF 50. It’s a tinted product with medium coverage and wears so well on my skin. Lasts all day. It is on the semi-thick side so application is key. It’s not one I recommend applying with fingers. Use a sponge to work it into the skin and blend. This method works best for me when applying any CC cream. So many of you have told me you have kept referring to my review from 2018!
Active Ingredients: Active ingredients: Octinoxate 6.8%, Titanium dioxide 4%, Zinc oxide 15.2%
Supergoop! is one of my favorite brands for sunscreens in general. I love all of their chemical formulas and one mineral. My recommendation for formula would be based on your skin type and preference. Each one has a different texture and purpose.
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30* ($30 to 42) was one of the highest rated/most loved formulas from you based on messages I received on social. So many of you love this skincare line and after finally trying it this year I 100% agree. No white cast on me (although there is a very subtle white tint), no pilling, lasts on the skin. Definitely reapply every hour (as with all formulas) but love that it’s not sticky or goopy and it doesn’t have any smell or weird sunscreen scent.
Both are great formulas for the face. The Shiseido Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen has a beautiful hydrating feel. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture. Leaves the skin feeling smooth and slightly plump. It has enough moisture that I can use this as a moisturizer.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.3%, Homosalate 10.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 5.0%.
The Shiseido Urban Environment Sun Dual Care Oil-Free Sunscreen is also a recent winner. It has a more fluid thin texture with a velvety dry down. Super lightweight, long lasting, has a slight pale peachy pink tint when you apply it on the skin but disappears after blending.
It’s been a while since I’ve done a skincare roundup and with summer in full swing I have an updated routine with my favorites for clean and clear skin. With the heat, sunscreen and extra sweat my skin is prone to getting clogged and irritated. If you also experience the same issues during the summer, I have my current go-to’s I swear by from Nordstrom. These are my favorites to help clear out the pores and keep skin looking fresh!
Cleansers
Long time readers know I’m a fanatic about cleansing my skin. Keeping skin super clean and making sure I remove all traces of sunscreen and makeup at the end of the day is essential but with long wear makeup formulas it can be tricky. I rotate cleansers and use different formulas for morning vs afternoon.
Using a good makeup remover whether it’s a cleansing balm or cleansing oil is always a must. It helps break down foundation, concealer, blush etc.
I really love the Chanel Sublimage L’Huile En-Gel De Demaquillage Gel-To-Oil Cleanser ($110). I love it because it’s less messy than a regular liquid oil. The gel melts right into the skin and has that signature Sublimage scent (obsessed!). It makes the skin feel super soft and smooth and clean!
I always follow with a toner to help rebalance the skin and make sure all traces of cleanser and makeup are removed. My two go-to’s right now are from Kiehls and Sisley. The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner ($12 – $20) helps moisturize the skin and refine texture. I also swear by the Sisley Balancing Floral Toning Lotion ($115) which is the best alcohol-free formula I’ve used.
For texture and resurfacing, the Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads ($59) have been the best resurfacing pads I’ve tried. There’s no stinging, no uncomfortable residue, and really works for smoother skin. You can use these daily but I use them 2x per week.
Pore Cleaning Masks
To keep the pores clear and clean I use Glamglow. The Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment ($25-86) is one I cannot live without (Value Set for $69 here). Anytime I feel like pimples or clogged pores are surfacing I use this and it’s the most effective AHA and BHA acid mask for problem skin. Charcoal helos absorb excess oil and toxins. Apply a thin layer and leave it on for 5-20 minutes (I usually leave it on for 10). Rinse thoroughly.
I also really love charcoal based masks/cleansers and the Glamglow SUPERCLEANSE Clearing Cream-to-Foam-Cleanser ($32) and SUPERSMOOTH Acne Clearing 5-Minute Mask ($34) are essential for my summer routine. Both are gentle enough for me to use daily but I usually have these in rotation 2-3x per week. Andrew loves these too. They’re great to absorb excess oil without stripping the skin.
I rotate with oils and moisturizers but really love the Sisley Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream ($220) right now. It’s the perfect lightweight moisturizer for a fresh glow. I use this as a first layer then add the Sisley Double Tenseur Moisturizing Gel ($210) on top for my perfect smooth base. They’re quite the splurge but there’s nothing quite like either!
For eye treatments I love the Sisley Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid ($165). It’s another expensive buy but 100% worth the splurge if you want a really nice lightweight eye cream. Right now Nordstrom has the Black Rose Set for the Anniversary Sale which has the full size cream, eye fluid and mini black rose mask ($230 on sale, $415 value).
La Mer is always a nice luxurious treat. I splurged on the La Mer Luminous Renewal Set ($95) from the NSALE which has travel sizes of the Cleansing Foam, The Treatment Lotion, Renewal Oil and Moisturizing Soft Cream. If you have dry skin they also have this set with the regular Crème de la Mer in the Radiant Hydration Set (also $95).
The last thing I wanted to highlight is a new try! La Mer recently launched The Micro Peel ($270). It is a leave-on resurfacing peel treatment with AHAs, BHAs and PHAs to polish the skin and clear pores. I just started using it at night 1x to 2x per week. It has a bi-phase formula so you shake the bottle to activate the formula and mix contents. Use on clean skin and don’t rinse. You can add moisturizer on top if you want but I’ve been applying it on its own. It has a minimal tingle and I really like it so far. Will keep you posted as I can test more!
Sunscreen is also a very important part of my summer skincare routine but I’ve saved that for a future post (coming very soon!).
You can find all of my picks available at Nordstrom.
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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own. All products purchased by me.
