My Beauty Routine

From non-negotiables to fave new finds

I don’t cover beauty here often mostly because I am the anti-thesis of a beauty junkie. When it comes to skincare and makeup, I’m lazy and impatient. Anything that requires too many steps or multiple products is more than I care to deal with. All those skincare devices, I have a couple, I regularly use one. And after years of watching women extoll things like how to get perfect-looking natural makeup by using two different foundations, a concealer, a contour stick, two different blushes and a highlighter, and then purchasing them all and using one or two of them, I have now swung in the opposite direction; I am hesitant to try new products because I so rarely end up happy with them. I like one-and-done.

But when my friend Andrea Linett of I Want to Be Her!, asked for my beauty splurge, I thought, why not share what I use. There are a few new products here, but I am stubbornly loyal (and lazy as afore mentioned), so this isn’t getting updated anytime soon.

Medicine cabinet goals. Photo by Billal Baruk Taright.

Also: I don’t claim to have an amazing, dewy complexion (I’m 56 and still breakout), and sometimes I see images of myself and think I could definitely use more makeup. But these products do make the face and skin I was given, a bit better so….

SKINCARE

My always and forever are Vintner’s Daughter Active Renewal Cleanser, Active Treatment Essence, and Active Botanical Serum. This is a complete system and honestly, even if you skip the face wash (which I do replace in the summer sometimes, see below), you should use both the Essence and the Serum as a duo. When I consistently use these, I get the most compliments on my skin. So many people skip the Essence. Don’t skip the Essence!

Literally good to the last drop.

I don’t wash my face first thing in the morning, because usually I am going for a run and/or taking the dog out for a walk. (I often spend close to 1 1/2 hours outside each morning). Pre sunscreen, I either use Bioderma Micellar water for a quick cleanse, or if I’m oily, Environ Botanical Toner. Then sunscreen. Currently my go-to is Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen for the face and Glow Screen for the body. However, when I was in Italy last summer I bought sunscreen from Isdin and loved it so much (couldn’t bring it home because the size wasn’t carryon approved), so when my other runs out I will be using this for my face and this for my arms/legs.

The face wash I use in the summer post walk/run is MBR Enzyme Cleansing Booster, put it dry in your hand, mix with water, then wash your face. Yes, ka-ching! but if I am consistent with this, it minimizes breakouts so worth it for me. Plus it lasts for months. Then I Essence and Serum. Sometimes, I switch Essence up with Biologique Recherche P5 1970. Yes it stinks and stings, but it helps with sun spots and breakouts. Sometimes I switch it all up and use Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Serum. It’s also supposed to help prevent sun spots. Apply generally, half a dropper full, and keep the bottle out of the sun (preferably inside a drawer or medicine cabinet), Vitamin C is reactive, once it turns color it’s done. This is a bit sticky, but I like the results. And finally, Macrene Eye Cream, because I haven’t used one until this year (LOL) and this is Gucci Westman approved. When it’s winter and I want another creme layer, I use Augustin Bader The Rich Cream. So many people swear by this and honestly I think it is fine. I find the other products show more results. Years ago I used to use Chanel Sublimage and truly loved it. Sometimes I think about going back, but it’s expensive to test out. I also use Retinol 3x per week once summer ends.

The one device I use is Dermaflash. What can I say, my face gets fuzzy. In fact, I use this every 10 days or so. All those other facial devices, I can’t be bothered. Plus, after I read Allure founder Linda Wells interview with a derm who said all the in-home laser products are too weak to create actual results, I was glad I didn’t have to try to figure that out. Every fall, once I’m back to my pale self, I get a series of IPL treatments to eliminate sun spots/redness. Game changer.

I occasionally get Botox, or it’s actually not Botox, but whatever they use at Ject in the city where I get it done (it’s less expensive if you join, plus you can get one area done instead of having to commit to a whole vial of Botox). I haven’t tried fillers, but that doesn’t mean I won’t and facials, I can’t be bothered, though I watch all those treatments Julianne Moore does and think they could be worth it (but she also can afford it). One thing I have learned with age: Never say you won’t, because you might, and never judge other people’s decisions when it comes to their bodies.

MAKEUP

I don’t wear a lot of makeup, this list is shorter.

New find that I love, Fara Homidi’s Essential Face Compact and Buffer Brush. I have been squeezing out the remains of an old NARS tinted moisturizer until I decided to give this a try. There are two parts to the compact, the foundation and then the dewy highlighter. I love this because you can spot foundation your face instead of slathering something on everywhere and the finish is super natural with decent coverage. Plus you can carry it around for touch ups (I won’t). Fara’s site has an extensive color match chart, so you can find the right shade by putting in one you already use. When I want serious coverage, I use my Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (does not smell good.) But we will see, because Fara’s is becoming my favorite.

Cheeks are either Westman Atelier Lit Up Sticks in Brule for bronzer and Lit for highlighter, or Super Loaded Highlight in Peau de Rose when I’m not tan. Eyes are Great Lash Mascara, my new favorite eye shadow is the Solo Shadow in Midcentury from Merit; it really stays on unlike most that end up in your crease. A Chanel eye pencil since college. I like gray, not black. For brows, either Rye Beauty—a clear gel to keep everything in place, or Glossier Boy Brow in Brown when I want a more defined eye. Most days my eye makeup is just mascara and a swipe of Westman Brule stick.

Lips. Always about a balm. The ones on my bedside table: Smith’s Rosebud Salve (if I forget this when I travel, I slightly freak out), By Terry Baume de Rose Balm. In my handbag: Glossier Balm Dotcom in Rose; Hermès Lip Oil in Rose Kola (this is my new fave colored gloss, really the best I’ve tried in ages, #worthit.) If I’m going red: Fara Homidi’s Lip Essential Compact in Red One (to me there is nothing worse than a dry-looking red lip, especially at my age, and the balm in this compact keeps that from happening).

Nails. Chanel Incendiare in summer, and Rouge Noir kind of always (especially on my toes).

One thing I cannot find…maybe we can crowd source, is a chic cosmetic bag, one to go in your handbag or tote. Beyond LV logo, I am waiting for someone to design something elegant and fun. If you come across something, please share!

x

Jennifer

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