I’m back with a what’s in my bag post! I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve done one of these so I thought I’d share the cute little makeup bag I’ve been loving lately. As much as I love the flat pouches sometimes a regular makeup pouch with a wider base is a little more functional to hold bigger items.
I’ve received so many requests to review more from Cuyana and compare it to other brands I own. I finally ordered the popular Travel Case Set (comes with two bags, small and large) and am so impressed with the quality. It’s much more functional for me compares to the other style I own called the Vanity Case Set (shown here).
Quick look at the large and small bags that come in the Travel Case Set for comparison:
I will have a full review, comparison and roundup of my favorite makeup bags in a separate post. Today I wanted to share what I can fit in the smaller makeup bag for the Cuyana Travel Set which measures L 8” x H 5” x D 2.5”.
Yes, all shown in the above photo fits inside the small makeup bag! I’ll be posting a mini video on Instagram stories today as well:
A few more thoughts and details below:
My go-to touch up powder is the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish in Medium. If you’re a long-time reader you know I’ve gone through many compacts! I just bought the foundation which I’ll be reviewing soon and have high hopes for. These days I also have a small retractable brush from lilah b. which is actually a Retractable Foundation Brush but works for pressed powders just fine. I’ve kept a mini NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in my bag but I rarely find the need to touch up my concealer if I’m out all day (it’s for just in case). The Fenty Invisimatte Blotting Papers are so cute and they’re refillable. I bought these recently and like them although I think the ones from Tatcha are actually a lot better.
For lips I rotate picks frequently, so these change on a daily basis! These days I’ve been loving just using a liner and topping with a sheer gloss. Pat McGrath LUST Glosses are among my favorite, left to right is Love Potion, Peach Perversion and Faux Real (swatches here). I like her Permagel Lip Pencils in Done Undone and Bare Rose the most (both swatched here).
Laura Mercier is another favorite, I’ve just started using her new lip pencils and love her Longwear Lip Pencil Baby Lips with Lip Glace in Opal on top.
I’ve found the smaller makeup bag in the Travel Case Duo Set fits a small brush at the base. The Aerin Small Brush fits perfectly but it’s quite a splurge. I’ve also really loved the Sephora Collection Mini Brushes in previous styles and just ordered this newer one.
Lip balms are essential for me, I love the Dior Addict Lip Glows and the NARS Afterglow Lip Balm for twist-up stick balms so I don’t have to worry about getting my fingers sticky from pots.
I keep a mini perfume on me at all times because I find spritzing it on mosquito bites helps reduce the swelling and itch. Right now it’s not too much of an issue for me, but there are always out here – even more so at dusk. I love the Byredo Mini Trio Sets because the vials perfect size for a small bag or pouch. There’s a leather case you can buy separately to protect them, but I just keep them in my bag as is, I haven’t had one break yet but they are glass so I would at least keep them in some kind of protective case or pouch. I also adore Jo Malone minis, I wish they kept these available permanently!
Sometimes I keep a hand cream with me other times it’s just a hand sanitizer. I love the Byredo Hand Sanitizers in both Suede and Rose, they smell amazing and they’re ultra luxurious!
What do you keep in your makeup bag? Do you rotate frequently or keep the same staples you use daily?
New posts and review coming soon! I’ve been taking a little time off the blog and social for some me time!
I’m back with a round up of 10 things I’m loving right now – all things I purchased on my own with a few items that are repurchases! Things have been a bit slow on the blog the past few weeks with some unexpected personal things going on in our life. I’m not quite ready to talk about it yet but don’t worry, we are 100% ok! I will have the Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation post up tomorrow, I wanted to make sure I put everything to an extensive test before I posted a full review for you.
Beauty purchases I’ve been loving:
1. MAC Lipglass in Love Nectar is one of the prettiest soft sheer peach shimmers. This isn’t the same as the original LustreGlass formula – both the formula and color are different but it’s still in the same color family. This is a repurchase for me (swatches here).
2. Real Techniques Mini Multitask Brush 407 is one I found at Walgreens in store but you can find it online at a number of places like Amazon or the Real Techniques website. It’s super cute, plush and really does a great job at multi-tasking for powder, bronzer or blush. I love how compact it is but still functional.
3. Essie Come Out to Clay is part of their fall collection Rocky Rose Collection, I checked it out in stores near me and picked out two of the colors, Come Out to Clay is the perfect light creamy peach!
4. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Mini comes in all the colors now, I’m usually the shade Ginger but they’ve added more colors and when I’m super tan Praline is the next shade up (before there were huge gaps between Ginger and the deeper tans). I think the mini size is a nice way to try it if you’re new to the formula and want to test it out.
5. Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner is a repurchase as well, I really love this to refresh and hydrate the skin. I have combination skin this season. It tends to dry out if I’m indoors with the A/C and then becomes oily when I’m outside because the humidity this time of year is INTENSE! This soothes and hydrates. I usually buy the mini sizes even though full sizes are the better buy (value wise).
6. Pat McGrath Mini Lip Fetish Balm Trio has the clear, Blow Up and Flesh3 minis of her Lip Fetish Balm swatched here. I’m the biggest sucker for minis and just bought these to throw in my purse. Since I’m loving mini bags right now I’ve needed to downsize my card case, lip products, etc. I haven’t used the minis yet but I really love the full sizes. She also has mini trios in the MatteTrance and Mini Lust Gloss Trio (several color options available).
7. Omorovica Peachy Micellar Cleanser Pads were on my radar a few weeks ago and I splurged to buy them. The tub is huge but in a good way. Pads are sturdy so they don’t disintegrate when you wipe them on your face and they don’t leave any fibers or greasy residue. I like this as a first step or second step cleanser. They’re gentle, hydrating and effective for face makeup. The scent is something I was really concerned about ordering this sight unseen but it’s a really pleasant subtle peach and after a couple minutes I do not smell any residual scent and the fragrance did not irritate my skin.
8. Oribe Royal Blowout Spray is another repurchase. I really like this as a heat protectant and smoother before I blow dry my hair. I also mix in some of the Moroccanoil Treatment or some kind of serum, but the spray makes a huge difference to protect ends and add shine. It’s lightweight and doesn’t weigh down the hair. You can try this in a mini size which is pretty spendy but I always buy the full size option.
Last but not least are some Chanel neutral favorites. I’m obsessed with their neutrals! The Organdi Le Vernis is probably in my top five neutral polishes of all time. Recent lip repurchases:
9. Rouge Coco Gloss in Noce Moscata is the prettiest glossy pink beige with subtle shimmer. Anytime I wear this it gives that plush natural your lips but better soft pink glow and I’m always asked “what’s on your lips?” Another popular neutral is Caramel 716 which is a cream and more opaque. Lip swatches here.
10. Le Rouge Crayon de Couleur is a hit or miss for many because you can’t sharpen the tip. It’s a twist up crayon and as you use it the tip becomes flatter/chubbier. I still love these for the glossy finish. It’s been a while since I’ve used up some of the colors and I repurchased two Beige Rose (swatched here) and Bois Rose (swatched here).
That wraps up some of my favorite recent beauty buys! What have you been loving lately? For those who keep asking about the white cosmetic case I’ve been featuring in some photos, it’s the Cuyana Vanity Case in Ecru.
We’ve been in Florida for two and a half years now and the best thing we’ve discovered are the beaches! We never really knew what truly beautiful beaches were like until our first trip to Florida three Decembers ago. As beautiful as San Diego is, West Coast beaches don’t compare at all to the ones on the East coast! Here the beaches are so clean, water is warm enough to swim in and the overall atmosphere is more relaxing and friendly. We’ve been exploring more beaches each weekend and finally went to Siesta Key off the coast of Sarasota. So many of you have recommended we visit and it’s one of the best ones we’ve been to! We also love St. Pete Beach and Anna Maria.
With each of our beach trips I try to share a little of what I pack with me on Instagram stories. Our beach days tend to be all day events, or at the very least all afternoon to late evening excursions. We go straight from the beach to run afternoon errands or dinner and even though most of everything in South Florida is very laid back and low key, I still pack beauty products and extra clothes to change into to look a little more polished.
A lot of you have been asking for a beach kit series along with an updated Florida post (ie beauty, towels, umbrellas, clothes, best beaches etc.). Today I have my beach beauty favorites. I’m working on the other ones to post for you soon! Above is The Daily Edited Clear Pouch in Pale Pink (love!). On the nails is Chanel Le Vernis in Purple Ray. Sunnies are from Celine.
I owe you an updated sunscreen post but I have had the worst time with face sunscreen this year and had several severe allergic reactions to new formulas I’ve been testing. The whole testing process is taking longer than anticipated and I’m still going to have an updated roundup with all the hits and misses. The ones I swear by are my long-time tried and true:
Sol de Janiero Bumb Bum Sol Oil with SPF 30 is something we’ve nearly used up entirely! It’s a delicious suncreen oil that has shimmer in side. The shimmer is very subtle and has no gritty feel/texture. We used this during our Miami trip and I’ve been using it here in Tampa too. It does have a very strong sweet smell so if you can’t wear strong scents opt for the Supergoop! Oil instead.
Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen with SPF 50 is my most-used body sunscreen. It helps to prevent burn the best out of all the ones I’ve tried. It’s smooth enough and lightweight to reapply easily without feeling heavy. There’s no scent and it doesn’t feel sticky.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen with SPF 40 is a great transparent face sunscreen for me. It’s invisible and lightweight, I can wear it under makeup or alone!
Supergoop! Sunscreen Oil with SPF 50 is tied in my top two for the body. This was the first Supergoop! product I tried and it was love from the beginning. This one is also lightweight and is super smooth and easy to apply.
Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist with SPF 50 is one of the best ways to reapply face sunscreen without ruining your makeup. I also love their powder but find the mist is something I reach for more often.
Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen with SPF 35 remains one of my go-to’s for the face, it doubles as a primer for me and never clogs my pores. It does adhere to the skin so make sure to double cleanse in the afternoon to wash it off properly!
Chanel CC Cream* with SPF 50 is one of the few CC creams I’ve actually liked. I did a full review here with swatches of all the colors. I hope they expand the color range!
Eric Javits Hampton Straw Sun Hat is one of the best hats I’ve bought for sun protection. From browsing these online I didn’t this was going to be worth the splurge. After seeing it in person though I bought one and feel it was 100% worth the splurge. This prevents the scalp and head from getting burned better than any other hat I’ve tried. The top is woven and also lined to block 95% of the UVA and UVB rays. They have several styles but I opted for the Hamptons one. You can also see it worn in this post here.
Neck masks and arm protectors are something both Andrew and I are looking into. We’ve researched a few online and I can share a better review once we’ve explored more options. There’s no escaping the sun here and it’s quite intense while driving so our arms get crispy. Sometimes I’ll bring a sweatshirt or extra scarf to cover my arms/legs in the car. Andrew bought a couple lightweight options that he’s been trying out the past few weeks. We noticed people who work at the beach here and in Miami are often covered head to toe with these – they wear them with their polos or shorts for extra coverage and still seem to be light enough to wear in the heat.
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Hair Accessories
The humidity, heat, salt and wind at the beach has made my hair look so crazy Andrew asked me to do something about it. I’ve made an extra effort to pack things to look a little more presentable with my hair. Hair scarves and the silk hair ties have been lifesavers. I also pack a little comb or brush as it gets progressively windy later in the day.
For the face I typically just apply a little bit of bronzer on the cheeks before I leave the house and don’t do anything for touch ups for the rest of the day. A number of you have messaged me telling me you LOVE the Charlotte Tilbury Beach Sticks and I decided to reinvestigate. I’ve found that adding a little bit of cream color after the beach makes me look more alive and I’ve been reaching for them more frequently!
The Sisley Phyto-Blush Twists* have been a favorite for a cream to powder product for a couple years now. They launched two more colors sometime last year and it took me forever to try them but the two new ones are the best ones. Shade 5 Contour can double as a bronzer and Shade 6 Passion is the prettiest coral pink gold. I bought one of the Charlotte Tilbury Beach Sticks for a sheer glow. I had a few several years ago but gave them away in a beauty purge before during our cross-country move. I think Las Salinas is the prettiest pink with gold shimmer. Above I swatched with a heavy hand but all of these blend out for a sheerer wash of color.
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Lips
Lip products are something I always bring multiples of everywhere. The best effortless beach colors are ones that have a tint + treatment in one like the NARS Lip Oil or Dior Addict Lip Glow. Ones I’ve had in rotation lately include the ones below. I don’t pack ALL of these with me, I usually have maybe 3-4 in my bag at any given time. These are the ones I have in frequent rotation:
There are a few extra things I keep on hand with me for the just-in-case moments:
Drunk Elephant Beste Jelly Cleanser in the mini is essential for us, we’ll use a water bottle if there’s no sink nearby. I started to develop a severe allergic reaction one day when we were out after testing a sunscreen. It didn’t start surfacing until about an hour after I applied it and my face was suddenly on fire. Andrew had one in his workout bag in the trunk of his car and since we were at a restaurant, I used this in their bathroom to wash it all off. Since that day I’ve always kept an extra cleanser with me just in case. I got mine with the Sephora Beauty Insider Birthday gift, wish they sold the mini! I do really like face wipes but they get really spendy with the amount I’ve gone through, also a regular cleanser just works better.
Byredo Blanche Perfume is another essential, but really any travel size perfume is a must-have for me on the go. There are mosquitos and they love to bite me. They’re usually only out at dusk but depending on season sometimes they’re out more places than others. A spritz of perfume on the bite usually helps reduce swelling and itching. Otherwise my legs or arms can swell up to the size of a golf ball.
Fenty Beauty Blotting Papers were so cute and come in this nifty dispenser I had to buy them. The paper is on the thin side but they seem to do the trick to blot shine. It’s super compact and has a tiny mirror which is convenient. I normally swear by the Tatcha Blotting Papers but wanted to give the Fenty ones a try. I like the Fenty packaging better, but the Tatcha papers perform better for me.
Chanel Stylo Ombre Et Contour* makes for a quick and easy one and done eye look. Also kept with me just-in-case although definitely not essential.
For those who have been asking, I hope you found this post helpful on some beach beauty favorites! You can keep it as simple as your taste suits you. I do realize some of you don’t wear any makeup to the beach, especially if you swim, but sometimes it’s nice to have a few things on hand to put on afterwards if you don’t want to go bare faced!
If you have any beach beauty favorites let me know in the comments!
I’m hosting a giveaway! I’ve been such a huge fan of clear pouches I’m giving away 3 of The Daily Edited Clear Makeup Pouches. Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to qualify. Simply enter through one of the steps in the widget below and complete at least one of the steps. The more steps you complete the more entries you will receive. Giveaway is not sponsored or affiliated, it will run through Wednesday May 29th, 11:45 PM EST. Three separate readers will be selected at random through the widget to each pick one of the Daily Edited Clear Makeup Pouch (can pick color and monogram letters). Winner will be selected within 72 hours after giveaway ends and emailed directly by me.
Happy Friday! Hope you had a great week. I’ve been busy testing and swatching lots of newness from NARS, Tom Ford Beauty and Laura Mercier which I hope to post soon. In the meantime I have a beauty roundup of some things I’ve been loving right now!
Glossier Play Niteshine Highlighter Concentrates have been something I’m really impressed with! These are super tiny concentrated highlighters. They recommend applying in a few dots on the cheeks or eyes and blending anywhere you want a highlight. Deep Copper is the prettiest medium copper nude for my skin tone. They have a nice natural dry down and stay put on the skin.
I’ve been on the hunt for more travel hair brushes and ordered the Aerin Travel Comb and think it’s really nice! It’s a bit spendy for a mini brush but it’s sturdy and works perfectly for my hair type and needs. Aerin Beauty also has matching combs in two sizes and different colors which I think are really beautiful. For those wondering, I still really love the Yves Durif Petite Brush I reviewed a while ago. Just wanted to try another travel friendly option!
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize in Rose Gold and Star Gold are now permanent. Right now they’re still only available on her website but should trickle out to other retailers later this spring. If you haven’t checked them out I highly recommend you do.
Glossier Milky Oil is something I tried while in Miami at the Pop-Up. I was so impressed by how well it removed the eyeliner testers I had to order it immediately. It does a very good job at removing my waterproof mascara (although the Almay Remover Pads are better at removing it faster). I apply it to a cotton pad and let it soak on my eyes for about 5 to 10 seconds and it removes eye makeup really well. You can use this referral link to save 10% off your first order.
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc is one of my favorite perfumes ever. I’ve worn it for years! It launched in a Travel Size Atomizer (0.3 oz) last year and kept selling out but relaunched this year and is back in stock. I carry this with me everywhere. The pen spray is also available in Tobacco Vanille and Neroli Portofino. The cap is magnetic and stays on really well.
Slip Beauty Sleep Slipsilk Skinny Hair Ties are my latest obsession for hair. There’s no tugging or pulling with these. They’re stretchy and so far don’t lose their stretch even after a lot of use. So many hair ties end up breaking apart or break/tear my hair. These don’t. They come in a pack of 6 in different color variations.
NARS Orgasm Oil-Infused Lip Tint is one of the prettiest soft rosy pink lip tints. It will look different on you depending on your lip chemistry like their Orgasm Afterglow Balm. Review on this soon along with the full new Orgasm collection.
Out of curiosity I ordered The Daily Edited Pale Pink Clear Pouch to see how it compares to my other clear pouches. I really love the design and personalization. The pale pink color is so pretty. I’ll have to test it to see how it holds up but so far I really love the way it looks!
I bought the Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection Heat Protectant Creme in search for a blow dry product. I’m thoroughly impressed at how smooth it makes my hair with the blow dryer. I have high hopes it will prevent frizz once the humidity returns in Florida. So far I love how it’s lightweight and truly works to smooth the hair without looking greasy. I did not realize that they have an entire Farewell Frizz line and I’m going to look into it this weekend.
I’m always asked what this brush is when it’s featured in a flatlay and it’s the Laura Mercier Bronzing Brush*. I’ve accumulated so many brushes over the years and this one is my favorite for bronzers. It’s soft, plush, large and applies bronzing powders and mineral baked powders perfectly.
Quick swatches of the color items I featured in the post: Glossier Niteshine in Platinum Rose, Pale Pearl and Deep Copper. Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise in Rose Gold and Star Gold. NARS Orgasm Oil Infused Lip Tint (how the color looks after a few minutes).
Full review on the NARS Orgasm collection to follow. Tom Ford Soleil 2019, Chanel Les Beiges and more coming your way soon as well! A number of you asked if I’m going to review the Charlotte Tilbury Glowgasm collection and I’m undecided. Part of me thinks it’s going to be too glowy for me. Another part of me thinks it’s a knock off of the NARS. Let me know what you think and if you want a review!
Shop the post:
Laura Mercier Bronzing Brush was a press sample. All other items purchased.
Spring beauty launches are here in full swing and there is so much to explore this season! I love that there is literally something for everyone this season whether you want something glowy or matte, sheer or full coverage etc. Most of my new discoveries are from Sephora so I’ve teamed up with them to share my top beauty picks for a spring makeup bag refresh.
I feel like my go-to concealer is always going to be the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger but I still love trying out new formulas. Many of you like the ones that are creamy and lightweight for under the eyes. I’ve recently discovered the Armani Power Fabric High Coverage Stretchable Concealer in 6.5 and think it’s an excellent alternative for a similar blendable feel but with a semi-matte finish. It has a creamy easy to blend feel making it really nice for under the eyes. I am a 6.5 in the Luminous Silk Formula and usually like to match my concealer shade, but you might want to go a shade down if you need extra brightening. The Laura Mercier Flawless Concealer is another great lightweight option that isn’t quite as creamy as the NARS but still blends nicely. I wear 3W in this formula.
Three Go-To Cheek Products
There are a lot of great cheek palettes out this season but I’m really liking what I already own for this spring transition. I find the best natural bronzer to warm up the skin without looking overdone is the Becca Sunlit Bronzer. The shade options go from light to deep so there is something for everyone – even super fair skin girls who feel like they cannot wear any bronzer. I also think for spring anything peachy or pink-gold is universally flattering. You can’t go wrong with something like NARS Orgasm. For a natural cream highlight that won’t look greasy or too sparkly I highly recommend the NARS Super Radiant Booster.
Neutral Eyeshadow Colors
The eyeshadow palette I’ve been most excited about is the Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Palette. It’s a really pretty updated version of their original Naked and I’m 100% obsessed. For something deeper with more mattes opt for the NARS Skin Deep. If you want something simpler for an easy everyday wash of color on the lids I’ve always sworn by the Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks. I often layer 2 colors together and then add a liner for a super quick and easy eye.
Spring Lip Must-Haves
I’m still really loving the Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip. They’re probably my most reached-for lip products this year. Mixing and layering the colors will give the best effect – I love mixing Lychee Baby with Juicy Date or Peach and Quiet. For a tint and balm in one you really can’t find anything better than the Dior Addict Lip Glow. I’ve loved the classic shades like Coral for years now, but my favorite is the Rose Gold option. If you want to splurge on a tint + oil the Hourglass N. 28 Lip Treatment Oil in Adorn is a really pretty pink rose.
That wraps up my spring makeup bag roundup refresh for the best things I’ve seen so far this year. If you’re shopping at Sephora make sure you take advantage of their Beauty Insider Program! You can accumulate points every time you shop for minis and early access to launches and events throughout the year. As always I’d love to hear what you have in your spring makeup bag right now! Or what you have on your spring wishlist/radar!
I love glowing makeup especially this time of year! There’s nothing quite like combining a good glossy lip with soft shimmering cheeks to brighten up your whole look for the holiday season. Today I’ve partnered with Sephora to share a few glowing holiday makeup looks that I’ve been loving lately. Sephora is truly one of my go-to’s for beauty shopping. They have most of the brands I love and I’ve been a Sephora Beauty Insider for years. The points and perks they offer are among my favorites out of all the beauty rewards programs I’ve signed up for. By popular request I’m doing three looks with each of the three Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizers in Fenty Glow, Diamond Milk and Fussy. So many of you have asked for a review!
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Glowing Look 1: Featuring Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fussy
Holiday Look 1 features the new Fussy Gloss Bomb which is a sheer soft pink shimmer. This one is also on the sheer side but has enough color to give a glowing pink tint to the lips. I like this also layered on top of Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Liner. I mix a blended blush + highlighter from Hourglass which adds the perfect amount of glow. For those who haven’t tried the Gloss Bomb it’s a cushiony smooth gloss without the tacky feel. All three colors have a smooth shimmer to them. They are softly scented like a faint cherry.
Glowing Look 2: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow + Stunna Lip Paint Fluid in Uncuffed
Look 2 features original color in Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Fenty Glow which is a pretty rose shimmer. It’s fairly sheer on its own but makes for the best layering gloss over any other color. I tried this over the Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid in Uncuffed and it’s one of the best liquid lip products I’ve tried. It does have a matte finish but isn’t dry looking.
Look 3 is with the lightest color Diamond Milk. This adds the prettiest sheen to the lips. It’s also really nice layered over nude lipsticks or peach colors for a more diffused look. Wearing in this look:
That wraps up three holiday glowing makeup looks! Hope you found these helpful if you’re looking for some lip and cheek combinations. If you’re set on color I think three things that can really make a difference in your routine to give you a fresh glow include the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Glow Powder (I use in place of highlight) and the Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow to mix in with any base you have. You can find all the items I featured at Sephora.
What are some of your favorite glow products for eyes, lips or cheeks?
Happy Weekend! Taking a quick break from reviewing new makeup launches to highlight some other things I’ve had in rotation that I’ve been loving. This is a mini peek at some things I’ll be expanding on soon. Working on more hair care stories, fall fragrance and skin care roundups by popular request so stay tuned!
Top Row: Chanel La Creme Main Texture Riche, Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask, Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Compact, Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 6.5
Middle Row: Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Baby Facial, Fresh Sugar Face Polish, Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel Venise, Chanel Les 4 Ombres Clair Obscur
Bottom Row: Byredo Bal d’Afrique, Ouai Hair Oil, Bite Beauty Agave Lip Masks in Maple and Champagne, Sisley Hair Rituel Hair Oil
Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Compact
So many of you have been asking for a review on the Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Compact. I’ve featured it on Instagram a few times and have found it to be quite handy. It comes in several different color options and I bought it in two colors Rose Gold and Silver (you definitely don’t need more than 1 color, I bought one to keep at my desk, another for on-the-go/travel). It has 3x magnification and it’s extremely sharp and clear. It has Simplehuman’s lighting that they call “tru-lux” which mimics natural sunlight. I like that it’s really sturdy, comes with a pouch you can store it in, has two light brightness settings and also comes with a fold-out ring you can hold in your hand or use to stand up on a flat surface. It’s rechargeable and the lights last a long time without me having to recharge frequently, although I find the mirror is so good I don’t always use the lights.
It’s indeed quite a splurge for a compact mirror, but the quality is very good, it’s well made and designed. I really like the pouch because it’s compact and not bulky. The product itself measures a little over approximately 4 inches in diameter, mirror is 4 inches wide. Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Dillard’s.
The Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask is something I’ve used up several times. I think many of you will agree it’s one of the best most hydrating lip products. For some reason I didn’t think any of these had a fun scent/taste. I just realized that Maple and Lavender both have a sweet candy like taste which is really pleasant. These pretty much go on clear even the tinted ones. Maple is my lips but better and actually does give my pigmented lips a tint. Smashed is a very sheer red. There’s a new one that looks like it’s an online exclusive called Candy Apple. Also available in a cute Agave Treat Trio Mini Set with Natural, Candy Cane and Maple. Available at Sephora and Bite Beauty.
Skincare Favorites Right Now
So many things I’ve been wanting to write about for skincare. I’m trying to organize my roundups by category in an updated series for you. If you have any requests or questions let me know in the comments! For now a few things I think are amazing are from Sisley, Drunk Elephant and Fresh.
The Sisley Black Rose Face Mask is one of the best hydrating masks I’ve ever tried. It’s a cult classic and lives up to the hype. A tube is quite the splurge and I’ve hoarded every mini and sample I’ve gotten for ages. The Sisley team sent a tube and I was beyond grateful for it! It’s really truly amazing. It will be forever in my routine. It softens and plumps the skin making it feel super soft and radiant. There are a few sets available with this in the full size and minis so if you’re in the market to splurge I highly recommend looking online first. They give price breaks for the sets and often have good gift with purchases. Available at multiple retailers including Sisley-Paris.
I’ve received so many questions about Drunk Elephant lately! It’s a line I’ve really wanted to try more but haven’t had a chance to yet. Skincare testing takes so much time. I’ve only tried two things so far, but have had great success with both. The TLC Sukari Babyfacial is one of the few AHA/BHA resurfacing products I’ve tried I think works, but over multiple uses. This is an area I want to experiment more with. I’ve had more time to experiment with this and find that the tingle truly depends on what other items you’ve been using in your routine. Any acids or retinols or even scrubs you use increases skin sensitivity. Both Andrew and I have been really interested in learning more about acids and peels. Until we get a strong one done at a dermatologist or clinic, we’ve been testing a few at home. I think this one is strong enough to give visible results. Skin is left baby smooth after a single use. For me I didn’t really see texture improve until a few uses, but that is expected. The other Drunk Elephant item I’ve tried which I love is the Protini Polypeptide Cream which I still recommend and love. Both available at Sephora.
Then there’s the Fresh Beauty Sugar Face Polish which I’ve featured a number of times already but had to mention again. It’s a sugar scrub that melts into the skin so it’s not harsh. It smells amazing, leaves the skin soft and exfoliates without being too gritty. Everything in the Fresh Beauty line is on the pricey side but the products leave me feeling like a new person. For the holiday I always get questions about what to get the person who has everything. I’m compiling a gift guide series, but for sure you cannot go wrong with Fresh. Even if they already own the products, it’s such a beautiful line – their masks are amazing and are bound to be loved and used up. I think their Mask Sets are the best things you can buy for yourself or a friend. Last year the four piece mini set sold out super fast. This year’s there are a few options. The Great Escape Face Mask Set is available at Nordstrom. There is also a slightly different variation called Mask for Miles exclusive to Sephora (minis shown above are from the Sephora set).
Fragrance
A fall fragrance edit coming your way soon but right now it’s still in the high 90’s. No signs of feeling like fall here in Florida but scent helps put me in the mood. Three I’ve been reaching for frequently include Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt (but I like this year round, notes include bergamot, ambrette seeds, buchu leaves, sea salt, mineral accord, dry fruits, driftwood accord, guaiac wood, white musk, sage). I bought mine from Nordstrom. Also available in a mini in the 5-piece Cologne Collection set.
Byredo Bal D’Afrique has a warmer feel for me and I love it during this time of year (notes include bergamot, lemon, neroli, African marigold, bucchu, violet, jasmine petals, cyclamen, black amber, musk, vetiver, Moroccan cedarwood). I bought mine at Nordstrom. You can also find it in the travel spray size in the La Selection Nomade trio.
All three Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel-Paris perfumes are perfect. Les Eaux de Chanel Biarritz is the best for citrus lovers but it has a lighter feel more like spring or summer. For fall I think Les Eaux de Chanel Venise is perfect with neroli, oriental accord, amber, a bit of vanilla and tonka bean. Based on the notes you can sense the feel that I love bergamot and citrus notes. Available at Chanel.com.
Hair + Makeup Basics
I get asked about the Gisou Hair Comb frequently. It’s such a beautiful basic wide tooth comb although it’s not available at a lot of places. I ordered it directly from the Gisou website and really like it. It comes in the prettiest pink pouch which I don’t use but when I travel I’ll keep it inside. For hair oils I have more that I’ve been testing coming your way soon, but two I love include the Sisley Hair Rituel Precious Hair Care Oil (reviewed here and here) and the Ouai Hair Oil (reviewed here). Both are great for shiny smooth hair.
There are so many great makeup basics that I have in rotation. With all the new beauty that launches weekly I sometimes forget to mention everyday basics. The Armani Luminous Silk Foundation was one I used years ago and the formula never lasted on me. I decided to give it another try based on the overwhelming number of requests I’ve had to review it again. I’m 6.5 and 7 mixed. I’ve found if I combine it with the Laura Mercier Oil-Free Primer it lasts all day on me (I do need a touch up mid-day though). I think what moisturizer and primer you use with this is key. Otherwise as with many foundation formulas using a base that isn’t compatible will make the product either separate or pill on your skin. I mix the shades because 6.5 is a little too yellow and 7 is a little neutral. I bought both of mine from Nordstrom.
Chanel Matte Les 4 Ombres in Clair Obscur is my go-to matte quad these days. It’s easy to use and I don’t have to think about what else to combine for eyes, cheeks or clothes. It’s versatile and goes with everything I wear. Review + swatches here. Available at Chanel.com.
That wraps up my loving right now roundup! As always I’d love to hear what you are loving right now. I’m starting up weekly giveaways again now through end of November. There are two places I’m doing giveaways, one is on Instagram (announced weekly on stories so make sure you follow for details there). Another one is going to be via the blog. This week I’m giving away a full-size bottle of the Sisley Hair Rituel Precious Oil + Ouai Hair Oil to one reader. Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to win. To qualify you must follow ALL the steps in the widget below, partial entries will be disqualified. Giveaway runs through 10/22 11:59 PM EST. I’ll pick a winner within 48 hours after giveaway ends and contact via email.
