beauty minute

I recently got interviewed about my beauty routine for a feature on Garance Doré. You can read my Beauty Minute on their site, or continue reading to check out my daily beauty regimen and go-to products. By no means do I use all of these products every day, but the ones listed below are some of my favorites that make me look and feel my best! 

Morning Routine:

I have sensitive skin, so I prefer to use brands that use clean, simple, and high-quality ingredients. I usually just rinse my face with water in the morning instead of using a cleanser. Then I use Osmia Organics Active Gel Toner. I add True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster to my True Botanicals Cellular Renewal Serum (which activates it), and apply that mixture next. Then I finish with either Osmia Organics Purely Simple Face Cream or Sunday Riley Juno Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil, depending if I want something lighter or more rich (and don't forget your neck!). My lips always get a thick coat of Aquaphor in the morning. I take a probiotic every day, and like to have hot lemon water if I can as well. I’ve also been loving Sun Potion supplements in my morning coffee or smoothie! For fragrance, my go-tos are by Tom Ford- I love Violet Blonde or Oud Wood, depending on my mood!

Makeup Routine:

I rarely wear makeup when I'm not working- it feels nice to give my skin a break! If I'm wearing makeup, it's usually just the basics. I like a lot of Glossier products- they make great no-frills essentials. I use a tinted moisturizer (with SPF!) by Laura Mercier or True Botanicals, and concealer if need-be by Glossier (Stretch Concealer) or RMS Beauty (Un Cover-Up) on the face. Curled lashes, with or without mascara, but I like Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes. Groomed brows are a plus, and Glossier Boy Brow has a nice waxy texture. Glossier Haloscope and RMS Beauty Living Luminizer for highlights on the cheekbones and brow bones help give you that dewy glow. I rarely wear lipstick, but a red lip is fun every once in a while, and YSL Rouge Pur Couture has lots of great shades.

Daytime Touch-Ups:

I always have a good lip balm with me. Glossier Balm Dotcom and Lano Lips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm are go-tos, and I also just brought several tubes of Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment back from Australia. I also like to have a facial mist of some sort for whenever I feel like my skin needs a pick-me-up. Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist and Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence are both great. I drink tons of water throughout the day as well. 

Nightly Routine:

My nightly regimen starts with removing any makeup (if I'm wearing any) with Bioderma Crealine (aka Sensibio). Then I wash my face with Osmia Organics Black Clay Facial Soap or Sunday Riley Blue Moon Cleansing Balm (this one also makes a great mask). I tone with Biologique Recherche P50 (without phenol), then apply Mario Badescu Buffering or Drying Lotions to any blemishes if needed. I love a hydrating & calming oil at nighttime (something thicker than moisturizer) and Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil or UFO are amazing. Eye cream is also important to start sooner rather than later- I've been loving Tata Harper Restorative Eye Creme.

Hair, Body, Masks:

I love R+Co shampoo & conditioner- both the Sunset Blvd. Blonde & the Dallas Thickening versions are go-tos. If my hair needs a refresher, I’ll use a bit of R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo or Ouai Wave Spray. Korean exfoliating mitts also work wonders for fresh, baby-soft skin. Post-shower, I’ll use either R+Co Tinsel Smoothing Oil or Ouai Hair Oil on the ends of my hair, then coconut oil all over my body. Every once in a while I'll apply a face mask (like Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask or Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask) or a sheet mask (Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask or Hada Labo Ultimate Anti-Aging Facial Mask) to treat my skin to a little at-home facial. Now just to be clear, I don't use all these products every day. Beauty sleep, a healthy diet, and lots of water are all great ways to create that glow from the inside, out as well :)

 
 

fave products // collagen

 
VP collagen.jpg
 

By now I'm sure you've heard of collagen and its anti-aging properties, but do you know what it actually is and how it can help you? Let me give you a  little collagen 101 (with the help of The Coveteur). Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It's found in your bones, muscles, skin, and tendons, providing structure and strength to the body. In your skin's connective tissue, collagen aids in providing a firm and supple layer, as well as renewing skin cells. Skin elasticity relies on collagen, and it's what gives your skin a firm, youthful appearance. As we get older, our collagen production decreases, which can create deeper creases, enlarged pores, and less elasticity of the skin. To combat this, topical supplements containing peptides, vitamin C and retinol can work to boost that productivity.

You may also choose to ingest collagen orally, and by doing so can help build connective tissue in your hair, skin and nails, as well as regulate your body's metabolism. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides are a great bioavailable type of collagen- the molecules are small enough so that they're able to get quickly absorbed and used by our bodies, which is key. This supplement dissolves quickly and easily in water, and has absolutely zero taste. I mix a serving into my coffee for an added health and protein boost. Other than improving hair, skin, and nail health by increasing skin's elasticity and reversing the signs of aging, collagen is a huge proponent of joint and bone health. It's essential for mobility and can help with the regeneration and healing of tendons, bones, and joints. It also helps reduce achiness and pain in the joints! Furthermore, collagen can aid in digestion by providing reparative and soothing properties that help you digest food and improve the absorption of nutrients. Talk about a bang for your buck! Since starting to incorporate collagen into my diet, I've noticed healthier skin, stronger nails, and quicker recovery of sore muscles and achy joints after workouts! I highly recommend adding collagen to your daily routine. 

fave products // bumble & bumble hairdresser's invisible oil & primer

 
 

Two of my must-have hair products for the colder months are Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil and Primer. My hair tends to dry out pretty easily this time of year, becoming more fragile and delicate, so I find that it's super important to take the extra steps necessary for added nourishment and protection. The primer is a great multitasking pre-styler, so use this first if you have plans to style with other products and tools. Both the oil and primer contain six super lightweight oils (grapeseed, safflower seed, sweet almond, macadamia nut, argan, and coconut) that work to soften & smooth, detangle and de-frizz, and protect against breakage from heat & UV damage. By putting the primer in a spray bottle, Bumble & Bumble allows for a light application that will not weigh your hair down. In fact, sometimes I'll spritz it into my damp hair as a leave-in conditioner, and be on my way! With the oil, on the other hand, a little goes a long way, so careful not to over apply! It's my go-to in evenings (post-shower), so that my hair can soak up the oils overnight while I sleep, and look fresh and healthy come morning!

fave products // ouai dry shampoo

 

If you're like me, you don't like washing your hair every day (or even every other day). It's better for your hair to skip a day or two anyways, but sometimes it's hard to keep it from looking dirty or greasy. Ouai Haircare is a new line by hairstylist Jen Atkin, and I can say from personal experience that the dry shampoo is totally legit. It allows you to get that extra day or two out of a wash by soaking up the grease, while giving your roots a bit of added texture. Even better is that it doesn't leave any weird color behind, and smells lovely as well! She collaborated with industry experts in both formulation & design, and the result is pure genius. Jen says "With OUAI, I wanted to create 'a breath of fresh hair'- a line for real life, fo real women". This rings true in the effectiveness and affordability of her products. Next up on my must-try list are the texturizing hair spray and wave spray.