These are the beauty products one skin care-obsessed beauty writer swears by
Welcome to The Beauty Files, where HelloGiggles editors and contributors share exactly what beauty products they put on their faces, and why. We want to take you on this voyeuristic journey because we believe makeup means something different for every single person — applying makeup is a conscious, intimate decision we make almost every single day, and there’s usually a method behind the madness. Join us every week as we spill the beans on beauty products, and feel free to submit your own Beauty File. E-mail us at [email protected]!
Hi guys, Lindsey here. If you’re obsessed with red carpet style, shopping killer trends and/or all things beauty, then you’ve probably come across a few of my stories here on HelloGiggles. While I often comment on (read: obsess over) the beauty feats of all my favorite celebs, I rarely dish on my own routine. Until now, that is.
For me, the basis of a solid beauty routine is all about high-quality, good-for-you beauty products that hold in moisture and let your natural beauty shine. I don’t like harsh chemicals. I don’t like overly synthetic serums. And I loathe overly complicated regimens that really don’t do much.
7:00 a.m.: Coming back to life
I am not a morning person, though I desperately want to be. So before I put on any beauty products or chug a cup (or six) of coffee, I drink a full glass of water to help me wake up and hydrate. This is so important for your skin, as hydration is one of the best defenses against stress, premature aging, and dehydration (obviously). I think it makes a difference for my skin, but it may be immediately counteracted by the copious amount of caffeine I consume, without which I would most certainly die. I digress.
7:15 a.m.: Getting my glow on
When I’m slightly more alive, I run my face and neck under warm water. I’ll gently rub coconut oil around my eyes and brows, as it helps remove any trace amounts of makeup from the night before and brightens the otherwise giant purple circles under my eyes (thin skin problems). Next, I wash my face with Protective Nourishment’s Energizing Berry Wash, $52. The sulfate-free formula is chock-full of vitamins, detoxifying elements, and glycolic acid that all work together to cleanse and minimize my pores, control oil, and help my skin retain moisture.
Next up, I slather on tons of moisturizer. I’m the ~biggest~ advocate for Caudalie, a French skin care line that uses the leftover grapes from wine to make resveratrol-packed beauty products. Also I just really love wine, so that probably factors into my obsession. Anyways, I use Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Radiance Moisturizer with SPF 20, $49 because it’s gentle, effective, and protects my pale, freckly skin from the sun. Because I’m OCD about my under eye skin, I always finish with an eye cream, morning or night. I’ve played around with several, but right now I’m into Fresh’s Lotus Youth Eye Cream, $45.
7:30 a.m.: Time to put my face on
I’m not great at doing my makeup. Not even close to great. I try to use high-quality beauty products to disguise that fact, then imagine that I have amazing, red-carpet-worthy makeup. I never actually do, but it’s fun pretending I can wave my makeup brushes like magic wands a lá Pat McGrath.
First up, primer: I use Guerlain’s Meteorites Base Perfecting Pearls, $74, because it holds in moisture and keeps my skin silky smooth even after I’ve slathered on tons of product. Diorskin Air Nude Foundation, $53, comes next. Let me tell you, this stuff is liquid gold. If you’re going to splurge on any beauty product, it ought to be on this foundation — a little goes a long way, and it makes your skin look Photoshopped. Occasionally, I’ll dab on some Make Up Forever Full Cover Concealer, $34, under my eyes and to any blemishes, because it’s super pigmented and gets the job done.
Highlighting and contouring come next, thanks to the Tarteist Contour Palette, $45. I use Tarte’s Bronze and Glow brush, $34, to apply. Call me basic, but I still use the little contour guide picture it comes with (hey, it works!). I pay particular attention to contouring my cheekbones and highlighting around my brows to create the illusion that I’ve got supermodel bone structure. A quick swap of Charlotte Tilbury’s Cheek to Chic blush ($40) on the upper apples of my cheeks leaves me feeling (or at least pretending) like I’ve got a fresh Gisele Bündchen glow.
Filling in my eyebrows always comes next, and I’ve been obsessed with Rodial’s Glambrow tool, $26, all summer because I love the fine brush and the dark ash brown color. Recently I ran out though, and I haven’t had time to make my regular Blue Mercury run. So in the meantime, I’ve been using the Darkside shadow from my Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette, $54, and I must say, it looks really good. I’ve always been a huge fan of eyebrow pencils, but this new discovery may change me…
Admittedly, I’ve got shaky hands. So any eye makeup I use needs to be smudge-friendly and forgiving; otherwise, I look like a 5-year-old who discovered drawing on her face. YSL’s Couture Kajal Eye Pencil, $35, solves all my eyeliner woes, as it’s easy to apply and I can smudge it into shape if I mess up (which I do all the time). I’ll apply top and bottom, then whisk on a few coats of Rodial’s Glamolash XXL Mascara, $28. This mascara brings my lashes from one to 100 in seconds, making them fuller and longer than ever. A few whisks from my Naked Palette complete my eyes, then a swab of Mac pressed powder and a creamy coat of Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick, $34, complete my makeup.
8:00 a.m.: Hairy situation
My hair is naturally auburn with lots of highlights and good texture, so I love a pretty, simple style to show off my color. I’m pretty low maintenance (read: untalented) in the hair styling department, so I rely on my Beachwaver to do all the work. It’s ahhh-mazing, and probably the most life-changing hair product I’ve ever used. Ever. Seriously, if you love beach waves and can’t work a wand to save your life, this is your godsend.
A few dabs of Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Lotion, $29, makes my hair silky and smell like a dream, and a spray of Brazilian Blowout Instant Volume Thermal Root Lift, $28, give my hair some much-needed bounce.
3:00 p.m.: Touch-up time
I don’t do touchups.
Kidding. Sort of. I’m pretty low-maintenance, so I’ll dab on some more pressed powder and lipstick throughout the day, and maybe even a touch of RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek, $36. From time to time, I’ll spray some Ouai Wave Spray, $26, into my hair to liven it up; it really adds some oomph when I need it most. The only thing I always use is my rose water mist. It instantly lifts my mood and makes me a much more pleasant person. (The Jurlique Balancing Mist, $34, is my fave).
11:00 p.m.: Bedtime
Double cleanse or bust is my mantra, meaning I wash my face first with coconut oil to lift off my makeup, then I wash with my regular cleanser to penetrate my pores. I follow up with Biossance Rose Face Oil, $11, and then dab tea tree oil on any blemishes. I finish my nighttime routine with a few dabs of my Fresh eye cream and plenty of Clarins Multi-Active Jour Creme, $32.80, all over my face and neck.
Moral of the story here: My beauty routine would not be complete without high-quality beauty products. Quality above all else, people!
