I’m currently in an Uber on the way to a beauty launch event, stuck in rush-hour traffic on the Williamsburg Bridge, so instead of answering emails or something, I decided to write a blog. :) This isn’t a resurrection of this Substack…you may never hear from me again…but I wanted to share this somewhere, and my editorial director didn’t approve this pitch, so here we go! (PS — any typos are due to the fact I am in a moving vehicle.)
I get gifted a ton of products (#blessed) so if I’m not obsessed with something, I just swap it out for something else. If I actually finish something all the way through, it means I’m in love. (I’m not getting paid for any of these links, but tbh, I should!!) Here are some recent favs:
Tower 28 SOS Daily Skin Barrier Redness Recovery Moisturizer, $24
I feel like people skimp on moisturizer because it’s a skincare basic. You probably think, how bad could a moisturizer be?? But it’s usually one of the last steps of your skincare routine, you use it twice a day, and you use it every day. Shit better be good!! Anyway, I love this moisturizer—it’s lightweight yet hydrating, and feels soothing, kind of like wrapping your skin in a hug.
Dieux Skin Deliverance Serum, $69
If this serum has zero fans, it’s because I’m dead!! I’m currently on my fourth bottle. Whenever I feel like my skin is going through a rough patch, it’s usually because this serum isn’t in my routine (or because I need to re-up on Botox). It makes my dark spots disappear and blurs out my pores like the Paris filter on Instagram. (PS—the main ingredient in this is niacinamide, which my skin loves, but some people may not react well to this.)
Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Acid Clearing Serum, $54
If I didn’t get this for free, I would still buy it with my own money. Sofie Pavitt is the skin whisperer. She’s an aesthetician (if you can to book a facial with her, do it!!) and just launched her own line. For all my oily/combination skin girls, this is an incredible gentle exfoliator that you can use daily to slough off dead skin and make your skin glow.
Dove Beauty Revitalizante Body Wash - Cherry & Chia Milk, $9
This body wash smells DIVINE and lathers beautifully. It makes me feel like I’m at the Sisley Spa in the Dominick Hotel instead of where I actually am—my slightly dingy Williamsburg bathroom.
Moroccanoil Body Soufflé Whipped Cream Moisturizer, $38
My cat, Hans, is a huge fan of this body cream. He loves to try to lick it off me after I’ve coated my entire body in it. It has a warm vanilla scent that lingers and won’t assault your nostrils. Usually, when I apply this cream (a.k.a. after a nighttime shower), I don’t use perfume on top. (Speaking of perfume, this one is my favorite.)
Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment, $16
Yes, this is good. I’m sorry to all the haters who didn’t want it to be. I think I currently have four tubes in my apartment right now. It resurrects my chronically chapped lips thanks to a hydrating layer packed with plumping peptides and leaves behind a mirror-like shine. (I love the flavored ones, too.)
Renée Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel, $89
This mask has been a fav for years, and it’s another recurring empty. If you have an event, important dinner, or date, use this beforehand, and I swear your skin will look fresh, clear, and bright regardless of how many hours you’ve slept/mezcal margs you’ve drank. The formula’s texture looks and feels like strawberry jam. Just be warned—if you apply the mask on your skin then answer the door, your delivery man will be…alarmed.
Other faves include: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops Serum, Byroe Mojito Lip Mask, and UltraViolette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ (this sunscreen isn’t avail in the US…sorry! Blame your lawmakers, not me.)
Honorable Mentions
Kimberly Aleah on Farmacy Honey Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer + Susanne Kaufmann Body Butter
Amanda Inman on Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream
AMA: Ask Ama Anything
TBH it depends on the eye cream and your specific concerns. (I know—a cop out) BUT I will say that no eye cream can do what an injectable does…I saw a doctor inject Restylane Eyelight (an under eye filler), and the before and after was incredible!! I feel like it makes more sense to save up for a treatment like this than spending tons of $$$ searching for a miracle in a jar.
The left side was just injected, and the right side has yet to be touched. Magic!
I was going to do an event recap, but this is getting too long, and I have so much to do before I leave to frolic around in Europe!! But before I go, I have two quick notes:
Everyone is reading Emma Cline’s The Guest this summer! I wrote a review about it for the LARB earlier this year.
My dear friend Julius Taranto is releasing his debut novel in September. I’m lucky enough to have already read it, and I can’t recommend it enough! It’s hilarious and smart, and so incredibly well-written! Pre-order here!!
Okay bye!! xx