an *updated* list of beauty essentials
for the "we just made out", make-up look
Ok friends,
It has been almost a year since I wrote my last beauty essentials list, in which I wrote about how my favourite make-up look is the one that looks like you just *made out* with someone. The flushed cheeks, the natural glow, the bright eye, the plump lip, the butterfly lash, and - my personal favourite: no foundation - because - it’s way too much work for this look.
Let’s start with our basics.
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer for our under eye, and for under our brow bone. This is one of my favourite ways to look instantly awake, and also covers the tiny eyebrow hairs that you’ve let grown out for 3 months. Lol.
Okay, I also have two go-to lip balms. I don’t know why trying out new lip balms is one of the most exciting things that I think we, as a society, collectively can do. Maybe it’s because it’s also such a good conversation starter. There is always someone looking for a good lip balm. Anyways, The Caudalie Lip Conditioner is a new purchase - but it’s incredible. It’s such a good base before applying any colour. It’s shea butter based, so it hydrates without leaving a glossy finish - AND - it smells/tastes like orange and vanilla.
Now, if you want something that’s a bit heavier and more mask-like, and something that’s going to also work as a gloss - I’ve loved the Welda Skin Food Lip Butter for so long. It’s always my favourite Whole Foods purchase. This is completely unscented (and tasteless - sadly) BUT - the ingredients are incredible. It’s chamomile flower, sunflower seed oil, beeswax, etc. It’s also a good one to carry on a night out - if you’re in the bathroom and need a little lip touch up out after 2-3 dirty martinis, and you still have lots of time on your hands and lots of problems to cause.
Ok I had to pop in one of my favourite lipsticks - this is Katrin Sand from the Gucci Rouge à Lèvres Voile collection. Um, also - I had no idea that I could also use this colour on my cheeks too (I just read the product description lol). This collection is centred on more moisturizing lip colours with the tiniest bit of shine - which I love, because I’m personally not a huge fan of the matte finish. I also feel like I’m someone who gravitates towards the same lip colour always - which is close to my natural, but a bit more honey, and a bit more bronze-y.
Ok, I have to give a shout-out to my friend Jennifer, who put me on Westman Atelier when she popped in for a Roman afternoon this past July. We’re so big on versatility here - especially when we’re investing in products with a higher price point. This is the Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Coquette. Listen, we want a long-lasting flush that’s also good for our skin. And, if you know me, you know one of my personality traits is how much I love Hyralounic Acid. Well, on my little research on this Baby Cheeks Blush Stick, I learned that this product actually contains Vitis Vita Grape Extract - which boosts collagen production AND hyralounic! So it’s essentially a skin treatment too, which means - girl math.
Okay. My other personality trait is the Gucci Mascara. There’s only one formula, and only one colour - so you just know. You just know that - if Gucci makes only one of something - it must really be…something. You guys - I bought my friend one for her birthday - and she said to me, verbatim: “I hate you because now I always have to spend $65 on a mascara.” It gives butterfly, it gives volume, it gives drama - it honestly gives whatever you want it to give. You can do 1-2 coats, and it’ll open up your eyes in the most beautiful way, or you can do 5+ and it’ll make you look like you have the most natural eyelash extensions ever.
I will never buy another mascara.
Something I never thought I would buy is a cream/bronzer/highlight. And can I tell you why? I was like - what’s the point if I already have a bronzer and a highlighter? Oh, my friends. This is the Super Loaded Tinted Highlighter by Westman Atelier, in Warm Bronze Gold. The only way I can describe this product is that it’s like liquid gold for your face. I swipe it across my eyelids, the tops of my cheekbones, and the bridge of my nose - and it gives you the healthiest bronzey-glow without being too glitter-heavy.
And last, but certainly never least. Emmy Petal from Gucci’s Rouge De Beauté Brillant collection. This is my second lip colour from this collection - and I love this collection specifically because the products feel and look like a tinted lip balm versus a lipstick. And is this a colour I would normally choose? Absolutely not. But, sometimes it’s nice to remember your ex lovers by buying a lipstick that coincides with the nickname they called you. And to be fair, the colour is stunning with 1-2 coats - it’s a soft peachy-pink - and then if you want that bright coral lip - you can layer on a few more coats on top.
Ugh - this was so fun to write. I’ll be doing a skincare one next, and I’m SO excited about that one because I’ve redirected my attention from men to my skincare routine this summer.
With love from France (hehe),
Emily