I picked up this Ilia lipstick in Wild Aster the other day on a whim, and it’s quickly become my new favorite. The color is nice and understated—like your real lips, only better—and, best of all for this time of year, the formulation is very moisturizing.
And speaking of things that moisturize, I’ve been using this Drunk Elephant cream for a while now and love it. Most moisturizers feel gloppy to me, and like they sit on top of your skin instead of being absorbed, but this sinks right in, and provides an excellent base for makeup.
I know you’re supposed to apply bronzer only to strategic spots on your face—cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the forehead—and I know most people only use it in the summer months. But I rely on By Terry’s Tea to Tan all year round (who wouldn’t want it in winter especially, when we turn all pallid?) and spread it over my entire face. With a lesser bronzer this would look fake and awful (trust me, I’ve tried) but this stuff is so natural-looking and subtle that it totally works.
Liquid Spell is a new product from Davines made especially for fine hair like mine, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. You apply it before blow-drying, and it really makes a difference, body-wise.
I apply RMS’s Magic Luminizer to my cheeks, brow bone, and the bridge of my nose, as instructed, and it just sort of brightens my whole face without looking the least bit obvious.
I hate the look of a powdered face, but my face shines even this time of year. This stuff, from Hourglass, however, goes on invisibly, and blurs imperfections too.
I was told some time ago never to wear black eyeliner because it’s too harsh for my coloring, but it’s tough to find a good rich deep brown. This Charlotte Tilbury eyeliner, in Barbarella Brown, really does the trick, though. And it lasts.
I love Drunk Elephant products so will look forward to trying this moisturizer! I’ve never used a bronzer or luminizer, but you make it sound so simple and practical I’m tempted.
Dammit, Kim France – now I want all of these, and normally I am immune to beauty product lust! Gaaaaaahhh!!!
I just bought that RMS luminizer, but am not quite sure how to use it! I am very intrigued by that Ilia lipstick… I have a lot of bold colours, but am looking for something more everyday. You say that colour is pretty understated?
Yes, it is. And as for luminizer, it’s really simple: just apply to the spots on your face I mentioned in the post: the bridge of your nose, brow bones, and cheekbones.
I add a smidge to my Cupid’s Bow and sometimes, inner eye corner. It makes my lips look poutier.
Speaking of Drunk Elephant and bronzers. I’ve been very happy using their Burti Bronzer. This time of year a half pump mixed with my tinted moisturizer adds a little more life to my face.
So speaking of cosmetics … has anyone ever come across a “natural” deodorant or antiperspirant which really doesn’t make you smell like … anything? Like just an absence of smell? Or something really really minimal or neutral?
Or is this not possible? All input appreciated!
I don’t know if Vanicream’s deodorant counts as “natural”, but it is aluminum free, fragrance free, and cruelty free. It’s a gel kind expressed in the little pores? dots? along the top when you turn the dial. I find using one half of the pores/dots per armpit doesn’t take forever to dry. (I usually pair it with a scented deodorant, Speick, underneath, but when I’ve run out of my scented one, the Vanicream alone performs pretty well.) If you want to try it, just make sure yo get the aluminum free version. By the way, I live in Alabama and was born in Louisiana so my deodorants definitely get heat and humidity tested.
Thank you very much for this recommendation! I’ve been looking for a cruelty free and (synthetic) fragrance free deodorant for awhile.
I use Ursa Major mint/eucalyptus. It’s vaguely scented when it goes on, but it doesn’t surround you with a cloud of fragrance—like smiths, my god that rose/vanilla scents a whole room. The Ursa Major becomes scentless to me soon after application and even when you sweat, it isn’t smelly with perfume.
Thank you, D.Morgendorffer and Caroline!!! These are some very exciting leads!
Thank you! I will follow your advice, and look for that lipstick…
Dang. We are on the same beauty vibe line. I have the protini, hourglass powder and tilbury liner. Awesome stuff. And I just made a note to pick up the davines liquid spell next I’m in the salon!! Also looking to try the By terry bronzer when the Sisley bronzer runs out.
For highlighter I recently got the Fenty one in trophy something. Loving that also
I’m a beauty product junkie, so I love posts like this! I’m a big fan of Protini, and I use the CT eyeliner, too. Good stuff. I’m going to try Hourglass’s new Veil loose powder. It sounds like it “blurs” fine lines and is made for a GOACA.
Love beauty products. Just got that Hourglass powder and am enjoying it. Don’t forget the sunscreen–even in winter!
That lipstick color looks lovely. I’m tempted to buy it, even though I never wear lipstick.
I have to say, I don’t get what people love about that RMS Luminizer. I was excited to try it, but it totally disappears into my skin and doesn’t give me any of the glow everyone else raves about. I try lightly tapping it on, and still nothing.
Try W3ll People (it’s not typo, it’s their wacky free-spirited branding). I didn’t understand what the fuss with luminizer was all about until I used theirs.
What’s that davines smell like? Love their products but can’t stand that OI potion smell…like aveda plus vanilla and Tide (I know many love the smell.)
Yes to these picks!
Hi Kim! I also use brown eyeliner because black is too harsh for me. A trick I picked up somewhere is to also use a dark navy liner (like Urban Decay Sabbath) and mix it a bit with the brown. I like how it brightens the brown and makes the color more intense but not too harsh. I’ll try the Tilbury liner when my current one runs out. Your suggestions are so good. Thanks for all of your great posts.
I love this suggestion, going to try it. I struggle with eyeliner melt, and Urban Decay has been pretty good on me.
Finding the right colour and consistency lip product is my biggest makeup struggle. Want to say thanks, Kim, for your By Terry Tinted Rose Balm rec a few months back. It’s the only product that’s given me natural colour and moisture with zero tide mark. Worth the price and the pot mess. I will now try the Ilia.