I’ve never been a beauty junkie. In fact, it drives me crazy to have too many things on my bathroom counter, no mater how organized. I’m all about can’t-live-without favorites that can streamline my morning routine. Over the past year or so I’ve learned that there are a handful of products without which I would not be able to survive, and so today’s post is all about sharing them with you!
Living in London has majorly dried out my skin, however I learned (the hard way) that slapping on loads of heavy moisturizers actually made the whole situation worse. I started getting regular facials at the Sarah Chapman clinic and when I asked my esthetician what the one product I needed was, she suggested the Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial. This light weight serum smooths fine lines and wrinkles while moisturizing and plumping your skin. It also feels really lovely after a long day. If you put one thing on your face before you go to bed, this should be it.
After my foundation was discontinued I went on a mad hunt to find one that I loved. It took me a lot of testing different types to find the Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint . I actually had never heard of the Hourglass brand before (I told you, not a beauty junkie), but now I am completely obsessed. This skin tint evens-out your skin, includes an SPF and because it has hyaluronic acid it it, plumps and tightens the skin throughout the day. My favorite part is that it offers full coverage (I have a lot of California sun spots) with a luminous glow.
After discovering the Hourglass foundation, I found it’s perfect partner. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette has three different powders that are used for highlighting and contouring. My favorite is the “Dim Light” which I use under my eyes for a little bit of brightening. The others are perfect on the top bit of your cheekbones.
A make-up artist friend suggested that I use a stick instead of a powder for my blush and the second I found the Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Stick I fell in love. It’s so much easier to use then a powder because you can be much more precise with where you are putting it on your cheekbones. The colors are all really fantastic and pair really well with the Hourglass Skin Tint for that dewy glow without looking oily.
There’s a lot of under-eye brigtenting products out there but due to late nights, I need something with full coverage that can make me look awake. My make-up artist, Scarlett Rainer used Estee Lauder Double Wear Brush-On Glow BB Highlighter and it’s my go-to product to fake 8 hours of sleep. Not only do I put it on every morning, I also use it to touch up my face in the afternoons, and never get on an airplane without it.
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To make sure all of the products you’re using blend perfectly there’s only one Beauty Blender. After I bought this little pink blob I don’t know how I did my make-up before it. Its the perfect product to ensure you don’t get that awful foundation line on the side of your chin.
A hairstylist I use in L.A suggested the Wet Brush when I told her that my daughter cries overtime I brush her hair. Now we fight over it. It brushes through wet hair, dry hair, and post-gym sweat hair that you have to use three gallons of dry shampoo on.
I realize I am behind the times on this one, but I was struggling to find a great red lip that would last all day and all night. When I was in L.A for Christmas I ordered the Kylie Lip Kit Mary Jo K and I’ve used it non-stop ever since. It’s such a classic red and whether you love or hate the Kardashians, you’ll love this lip color. After outlining your lip with the pencil, simply fill it in with the matte lip stain and you’re good to go.
The opposite of the bright red lip, and just pretty much the best thing to ever to use on dry chapped lips, Dr. Lipp is one of my favorite discoveries. It’s made from medical grade lanolin- yep, that’s right girls, it’s nipple cream, and it works! I use it on myself, I use it on my kids, I use it morning noon and night. (When I don’t have a red Kylie lip anyways.) If your lips are scarred from the London winter, Dr. Lipp will make them totally kissable again.
My favorite day-time eye shadow is definitely Charlotte Tilbury in Golden Goddess . It’s perfectly shimmery for waltzing around town, and you can also vamp it up for evening. It’s no wonder its a Charlotte Tilbury best-seller. I’m hooked and haven’t used anything else since I bought it.
So there we are. My favorite beauty products at the moment. Feel free to shop them below, try them, and let me know what you think in the comments or on my instagram @AmericanGirlInChelsea.
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