I don’t know about you, but over here, this month was intense. I am equal parts grateful and exhausted for 10 hour days lecturing on Zoom with college students and an editorial calendar packed with beauty writing deadlines. Also, including a wildly loquacious 2-year old and an aging pup (both on different sleep schedules as of late), but I am hopeful heart for things to come.
This post is dedicated to seven different areas of beauty that have brought me joy this week. It includes gorgeous skincare, an exciting giveaway, new foundation, a brilliant baby-inspired palette, an array of the most opulent nude lips, rose gold holiday launches. Also, I am sharing a perfect black on black outfit…there’s a little bit of everything!
Seven Things for the End of October Featuring a Serucell Giveaway, Fresh Foundation, Nude Lips and Parisian Style
(1) Skincare: Innovative and effective, here are some formulas and products that I’ve been reaching for daily:
*Serucell KFS Serum
This serum is on my face daily as my #1 anti-aging agent! I’ve been using it steadily since March 2023. My skin has never been better in terms of tone, texture, smoothness and firmness. More on its effects in the next section of this post…
*Serucell KFS Eye Serum
Every single night, I swipe a touch of this serum along my orbital region and am continually impressed with the way that it tends to my delicate eye area. It helps combatting fine lines, puffiness and darkness with adeptness. Try it and you’ll see what I mean!
*ZIIP OX
I mentioned earlier this month that I was committing to my ZIIP device with more fervency and, my friends, it’s paying off. This sublime micro-current and nano current device provides instant lift, toning and glow while increasing circulation and collagen production with every session. I will be sharing a tutorial on how I like to use it very soon but in the meanwhile, if this device is on your radar.
*Ranavat Imperial Glow Facial Polish:
When I learned that Ranavat was going to release this gentle exfoliator I couldn’t contain my excitement. I adore the brand and have an equally ardent penchant for exfoliants. This balm to milk formula employs rice powder and almond milk. It helps buff away impurities without disrupting the fragile balance of one’s skin. It, my friends, is SO gentle yet wildly effective.
*Ranavat Luminous Ceremony Cream Cleanser:
I just finished my first tube of this silky and luxurious cleanser (a rare occurrence around these parts!) and am grateful to begin a second. This opulent formula melts away makeup and dirt, leaving my skin decadently saffron-kissed and smooth.
*Jenny Patinkin Rose on Rose Body Roller:
Brand new from Jenny, this marvelous embodiment of form-meets-function takes rolling as a form of essential self care to the next level. It has weighty rose quartz balls and rose gold hardware. Rolling this literal gem over your arms and legs increases circulation. It also helps reduce stress and inflammation (yes, please) and can I tell you, it feels like a massage. I’m going to need to use it again when I’m finished with typing this story!
*Graydon All Over Soap:
I think I may have found my favorite product with which to wash and shave. Besides smelling like a fresh and verdant, slightly herbal (in the very best way) dream. This clean and green formula cleanses without stripping and provides an ideal cushiony barrier for shaving and the like. It’s an absolute fixture in my shower.
Baby Tress 3-in-1 Edge Styler:
I ordered this diminutive brush in the loveliest blush tone with Joey in mind as I love the pointed handle to create even parts when I style her pigtails and ponytails. The two different brush heads tame hair with ease, inviting everything to lay flat and smooth.
*Ranavat Imperial Glow Facial Polish and *Ranavat Luminous Ceremony Cream Cleanser:
(2) A Serucell Giveaway
This serum is truly a transformational formula for firming skin, refining pores, brightening and lifting, all the while reprogramming your skin to behave more youthfully on the long term. It works extremely well on its own and also seamlessly integrates into an existing skincare routine, heightening the efficacy of all subsequent skincare steps.
(3) Fresh Foundation:
I haven’t met a stick foundation that I haven’t wanted to try (who is with me?!) so I promptly ordered the Huda Beauty Faux Filter Foundation Stick in Tres Leches when I spotted it on the Sephora site and have since fallen in love with its velvety texture and weightless second skin effect. Fragrance-free and impressively long wearing, I’ve given it a proper test for a week and highly recommend it for buildable coverage and a natural finish.
I’ve been coupling this foundation with a contouring swipe of the Shiseido Minimalist Whipped Powder Blush in #4 Eiko, which adds a wash of true brown warmth to the skin while looking nearly invisible in terms of texture; it’s exceptionally unique and singular in its result!
Both products are worn with glee and great satsification in the images at the end of this post!
(4) *LAWLESS The Baby One Mini Eyeshadow Palette:
One look at this palette, which was created in honor of the birth of Annie Lawless’ baby daughter Daisy, and I knew it would become an immediate addition to my routine. Rife with six buttery mattes and two glimmering satin finish hues, the 100% clean and gloriously pigmented palette is replete with warm and pinky tones that effortlessly translate from day to night. I highly recommend picking this up during the Sephora Sale.
(5) *House of Sillage Nudes Collection:
Creamy and nourishing with marvelous color payoff, the House of Sillage Diamond Powder lipsticks rank amongst my very favorite and the latest Nudes Collection features seven alluring shades that range from tender beige to rich rosewood, ensuring a befitting neutral hue for every skin tone.
My personal favorites include Nude Sakura, Tender Tone, Peacefully Speaking (worn in the images at the end of this post) and Nude Venus…they are seriously a nude lip lovers dream come true.
- Golden Hour: Warm golden-toned nude beige
- Nude Sakura: Light blossom pink nude
- Tender Tone: Medium neutral nude with true beige undertones
- Nude Siren: Medium nude pink with beige undertones
- Peachfully Speaking: Mid-toned peach with pink undertones
- The Bombshell: Intense nude with neutral undertones
- Exotic Rosewood: Deep warm nude with medium brown undertones
(6) EM Cosmetics Holiday 2023:
My love for EM Cosmetics has grown exponentially this year; the textures, wearable hues and exquisite formulations have consistently impressed me. I am happy to share a closeup of a couple of the holiday releases–housed in darling signature clear makeup pouches–from the brand.
Holiday sets to consider (gift one, keep one!) include:
*Winter Essentials: Contains lipliner in Kitten (pinky nude perfection) Lip Cushion in Venetian Rose (a universally flattering faded rose), Pick Me Up Mascara (tubing and genius…use it almost daily), Heaven’s Glow Blush in Faded Clementine (a golden peach of epic proportions) and a clear brow gel.
*Starlight Glow Trio:
Contains the breathtakingly gorgeous Divine Skies Eyeshadow Palette (I can’t stop wearing this…finely milled, no creasing or fallout, radiant warm tones), Color Drops Serum Blush in Venetian Rose (for flushed, lit-from-within skin) and Morning Dew Lip Crystal Gloss (for a naturally juicy pout).
Swatches of the *EM Cosmetics Starlight Glow Trio in outdoor lighting.
(7) Parisian Style:
I was recently introduced to the very chic LUCYPARIS and in love with the classic, minimalist cuts that make me want to traipse down the Rue Saint Honore with a piece of cheese covered bread in hand. In the meanwhile, I will settle for my backyard. I cannot wait to try some loungewear next!
// STYLE NOTES //
- Lucy Paris Scarlett Knit Top: Beautiful mid-weight knit with a sweetheart neck, this is the top your wardrobe has been missing. It’s simple yet sophisticated and on heavy rotation over here.
- Lucy Paris Gathered Skirt: This vegan leather skirt is silky and lightweight with distinct details that set it apart and I’ll be dressing it up and down for months to come.
- Dr. Martens Pascal Boot: The weather has finally cooled down enough for me to pop on the Docs again…this particular pair, which I picked up last winter, required zero break in time and match everything under the sun.
Bottom Line: I hope you enjoyed this post and would love know what caught your eye!
Also, don’t forget to swing by the Serucell Giveaway …I am truly excited for you to try this formula.