For most of my makeup-wearing life, I've tended to use powder blush. I think just because it was the most easily accessible type of blush on the market, but nowadays, it seems the options are endless! Enter Glossier Cloud Paint. This cream blush is literally one of the easiest products to apply- just dab it on with your fingers! I like to use a combination of two (Haze & Beam), and blend them together a bit. You could even choose a darker color for more of a contour, while using a lighter color as a highlighter. Cloud Paint's sheer and buildable gel-cream formula is inspired by gradient pink New York City sunsets, so there are several beautiful shades that work for all sorts of skin tones. I love that it gives me a healthy, subtle hue (which can be more-so if you desire!), and creates that perfect flushed glow on my cheeks! Plus it has collagen to help plump the skin, which is just an extra fun bonus. A little goes a long way, so each little tube should last you a while. I think now I need to add the other two shades (Haze & Puff) to my collection, and play around with all four :) Glossier is one of my fave go-to makeup brands- read my other posts about them here and here! Perhaps I need to try out some of their skincare products as well? Off to research!
fave products // w3ll people bio tint multi-action face moisturizer
I guess at this point you could call me a skincare and beauty junkie. I love trying out new products, but I tend to stick to ones that have stellar ingredient lists. In other words, non-toxic, vegan and organic ingredients are a plus. Enter W3ll People, a beauty conscious brand that focuses on advanced performance, natural ingredients, and social responsibility. I love that I can feel good about using these products, as there are no harsh or potentially irritating ingredients involved in any way, shape, or form!
One of the first W3ll People products I tried was the Bio Tint Multi-Action Moisturizer with SPF 30. To me, this is the best of both worlds: makeup and skincare. I love that I'm getting lightweight, flawless coverage over my entire face, but I'm also protecting it from the sun. With ingredients like coconut, broccoli seed oil, and pomegranate working to hydrate, brighten, and rejuvenate your skin, you can rest assured that this moisturizer packs a punch! I've found that some natural tinted moisturizers pill or get flaky when I apply them on top of my other beauty products, but that is not the case here. Bio Tint goes on super smooth and leaves my skin wth a satin, velvety finish. Besides being free of all the potentially harmful ingredients found in most conventional makeup, an added bonus is that all of W3ll People products are super affordable! Keep an eye out for more reviews soon, as I have a feeling I'm just getting started with this beauty conscious brand.
fave products // glossier stretch concealer
Since my skin gets a pretty regular application of makeup for work, I tend to go more minimal when I'm not shooting. I like giving my skin a chance to breathe, if that makes sense. That being said, there are times when I will do my own makeup, and for those occasions, I have a handful of tried and true products in my arsenal. Glossier has become a favorite brand of mine over the last couple of years- they make affordable skincare and makeup products that keep you coming back again and again. I'm a huge fan of both Haloscope and Boy Brow, so I had high expectations for their Stretch Concealer.
There's nothing worse than concealer that looks and feels caked onto your skin. On the contrary, I'm always searching for one that let's my skin look like actual skin! For a while now I've been using (and super pleased with!) RMS Beauty "Un" Cover Up, but after finishing my last tub, I was curious to try the Glossier version. Since it's made with elastic micro waxes, I've found that this concealer never actually gets dry or flaky, but rather moves with my skin throughout the day. The buildable formula is made with nourishing avocado and jojoba oils, which leave my skin perfectly dewy and glowing as well! Not to mention, it's totally easy to apply with just your fingertips- so toss it in your bag and go!
brand love // bioderma
I was first introduced to Bioderma years ago by several makeup artists on set. Seemingly everyone uses their makeup remover, Bioderma Sensibio H2O, and for good reason. It removes almost any and every product used on your skin, easily and without causing irritation. I love that it simply feels like water on your skin, but it cleans the makeup off your face with no problems, and leaves no oily residue behind! I figured it was time I tried a few more of their products, and am happy to report the positive results! First off and most similar were the Sensibio H2O wipes. These are great for on-the-go, and so easy to travel with, which is perfect for my busy schedule! So many makeup-removing wipes are harsh and leave my skin red and blotchy post-use, but these are gentle and made of the same micellar solution as the liquid remover. Also from the Sensibio collection is the eye contour gel. This one contains hyaluronic acid and helps to reduce puffiness around the eyes and aids in hydration. I love that the Sensibio products are geared towards sensitive skin like mine, and do not cause any breakouts or irritation with unnecessary, weird ingredients.
If you're looking for a light but intensely hydrating moisturizer for every day use, I suggest the Hydrabio gel cream. It'll leave you with a beautifully radiant glow, but without making your skin look greasy! I like to toss the Atoderm lip stick and hand cream in my purse for whenever my lips or hands feel dry. These help nourish and soothe damaged skin, and a little goes a long way! Now, if you've ever struggled with the appearance of pores, the Sebium pore refiner could be helpful for you. This corrective care product helps tighten pores and improves your skin's texture, making it a great base for underneath your makeup! What's super impressive to me about this crazy popular French brand is that their products are not only effective, but they're actually affordable too! No wonder all my friends stock up at the local French pharmacies whenever they go to Paris!
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 // glossier haloscope
My makeup routine is pretty basic. I typically don't wear much of it when I'm not working, and tend to stick to products that both look and feel super natural. Glossier makeup, with its "beauty in real life" mantra, falls easily into this category for me. I personally love that dewy look my skin gets after being out in the sun a bit, and highlighters are a great way to get that same glow, but without the sun damage! Glossier's Haloscope creates this dew-effect with two formulas in one: the outer ring is infused with crystal extracts for all-day enlightenment, while the the oil-based center boasts vitamin-rich moisturizers for a hydrated, dewy finish. I love that it isn't glittery or sticky in any way, but just adds the perfect, natural highlight to my cheek and brow bones. The topaz shade is great for achieving that post-beach sun-kissed glow, while Quartz is a bit lighter, adding a pearlescent highlight to wherever it's applied. The twist-up applicator makes it easy to toss in your bag and apply to your skin whenever you want that beautiful, yet subtle sheen.