the beauty edit
breaking down the best of the best
Hi friends! Can I first just say this has been a loooong time coming? To me, sharing the contents of your vanity/medicine cabinet is intimate! Something I don’t take lightly. I’ve also been trying products mentioned here since summer- I take my recs seriously and want to try things more than once before sharing. Some things, like this cleanser and Rosewater toner, have been part of my routine since my mid 20s and others, like Sofie Pavitt’s products, are fairly new but have been game-changers. Since everyone’s skincare needs are different, I’m breaking this down in a simple format. Let’s get into it-
best new to me ingredient - mandelic acid. I’ll admit I was skeptical when I first heard of this ingredient from a facialist about six months ago. That being said, my skin and I were really going through it, so I ordered this serum. It cleared up that pesky texture my chin is especially prone to and made my tinted moisturizer go on more smoothly. I’ve also used this YTTP exfoliant which has mandelic acid and serves the same purpose. I have pretty sensitive skin and find that using these products daily or every other day doesn’t cause irritation, but always speak to your dermatologist if you’re concerned.
best comeback - I know I mentioned attending this very fancy Josie Maran event last summer. Rarely am I a fan of events that include moodboards attached to their invites (I’m an Aries with authority issues, plz don’t tell me what to wear), but I will say it added a nice element of cohesion during. There were several stations set up to test and try their products- including her signature Argan oil in new packaging, argan oil infused sunscreen (only SPF 33, eh), and lotion and scrub in various scents. It was a lot to take in! That being said, I’m really impressed by most of their products. My favorite is this scrub (which comes in a variety of scents but also an unscented version, if that’s your preference). Bonus points for the fact that they sell refills, I love the minis for travel.
favorite splurge- I don’t think I’ll ever stop buying this peptide serum, it’s really just that good. It helps with wrinkles and firming up my skin but doesn’t contain retinol- something I am sensitive to.
best acne treatment- If I’m consistent with using an exfoliant/toner then my breakouts are much less frequent, but when they do pop up, I swear by this cleanser and a good clay mask.
lip color fave- A poppy-ish pink with coral undertones that isn’t too bright, I love this Westman Atelier lipstick in shade Minx. It is matte, so if you prefer a glossier look I recommend layering with this hydrating balm. A better look at the Westman Atelier lip colors below from my recent trip to Violet Grey.
cleansing balm- I have tried a LOT of cleansing balms over the years, this one by True Botanicals is my favorite. It has a nice ginger-y scent that isn’t too overpowering and does a good job of leaving my skin soft and moisturized.
My everyday products-
ILIA skin tint with SPF40, BIOSSANCE peptide lip protector, Chanel Glow Bronzing cream, Armani concealer. Only thing not pictured here is the Iris and Romeo mascara.
Moisturizers- INNBeauty’s Extreme Cream moisturizer is amazing, my only complaint is that I need a small version for my everyday toiletry bag. Augustinus Bader’s The Cream and Pai’s Rosehip regenerative face oil are longtime favorites - I like to mix the Pai oil with this tanning product when I want to wake up with a glow.
Cleansers- Sofie Pavitt face (love the clean and simple formula), True Botanicals cleansing balm, Fresh Soy face cleanser, Dermalogica pre-cleanse, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser, Bio-Oil after cleansing/exfoliating (useful for acne scars and stretch marks).
Hair- I often joke that being bleach blonde is a lifestyle, because the maintenance is no joke. The good thing is, I’ve found some really incredible products over the years because of this. My current favorites (not just for blondes, or whatever my natural hair color is- something I hope to never find out), are the Oribe Hair Alchemy products. They’re incredibly hydrating and repair heat damage really well. I also use a filter on my shower head, and alternate between masks (this one and this one are my top two). If you ARE a blonde, then I recommend a good purple shampoo and purple mask to cut down on brassiness. I also keep this in my bag to tame pesky flyaways, it also smells incredible!
(fresh from the salon in my new favorite sweater)
BTW…..
I ordered this lavender body wash immediately after my friend
shared it in her newsletter and now I’m ordering the hand soap, too. The scent is incredible! (if you don’t subscribe to Grace consider this my urging you to do so, she’s awesome)I’ll be doing a big beauty giveaway for paid subscribers. Make sure to upgrade your subscription below if you want to be entered!
Updated Shopbop hearts here, I can’t get this Ganni x Barbour coat out of my head, also love the embossed details on this bag.
ok talk soon! xo, Liz
Thanks for the hot tip on the Mandelic serum (sincerely, your friend, with pesky chin breakouts)
aw yay that body wash is the BEST! Thank you <3