One of the things I selfishly love about the gifting season is all of the different beauty sets!! Of course I love spoiling my friends and family with beauty gifts but truthfully? I load up on “gifts” for myself, too. I rationalize it as there’s usually a deal involved!

Nordstrom is your destination for all things beauty and their beauty gift sets are amazing!!!! I couldn’t get over the offerings (and the savings!). It was hard to narrow it down but below are what I think are the best twelve beauty gifts. I am especially excited about sets from Necessaire, Charlotte Tilbury, Tom Ford, and Westman Atelier (that petal set is everything!!!). But also: don’t sleep on the Nest candle (I’ll be burning my holiday candles well into January!) and this set from Tom Ford which has the prettiest eye palette and purse sized lipsticks.

PS – Don’t forget, you can still buy gifts online on Nordstrom.com and pick up in store to receive in time for the holidays.

Last Minute Beauty Gifts from Nordstrom!

This Necessaire set is something I think everyone would LOVE, including me, ha ha.

Their body wash (in eucalyptus, my fav!), body cream, and body serum. I have used Necessaire’s products for years and they are some of my absolute favorites. The eucalyptus scent is heaven (makes your bathroom smell like a spa!) and the body serum and cream contain skincare grade ingredients like Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid.

And this Tom Ford set is just stunning.

Every shade in the eye palette is gorgeous and something you’ll really use, plus purse-friendly minis of two great neutral lipsticks.

I have this candle burning right now!

It is one of my absolute favorite holiday candles and always a crowd pleaser. It just smells like the holidays. Also, let’s agree to burn our holiday candles through (at least!) the end of January.

Last but not least is this dreamy set from Charlotte Tilbury.

I have talked about Pillow Talk a lot and it is probably in my top three lip colors. It’s one of those rosy neutrals that just looks good on everyone. This set gives you the full size balm, liner, and lipstick… priced at a great value. All three products would typically total $92 but bundled together the set is just $59!

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One brand I really fell in love with this year was Costa Brazil: a sustainable beauty line founded by Francisco Costa. All of their products are sustainably sourced, environmentally responsible, vegan, no animal testing, free of parabens, phthalates, PEGs, silicones, sulfates, gluten, mineral oil and artificial colorants, and are dermatologist tested. This summer, I received an email about their iconic Aroma fragrance. The email called it “the fragrance we’ve been waiting for,” going on to describe it as “complex, green, and a little smoky, it also has floral and citrus notes that we found truly intoxicating. As the fragrance dried down on the skin, combining with each individual’s chemistry, it took on a quality unique to that person and evolved to smell different on each of us.“

Needless to say, I ordered the fragrance on the spot, having never smelled it, knowing I was taking a bit of a risk as perfume can be such a gamble: it depends so much on your body chemistry; what smells great on one person may not work on another. I’m so glad I did as it has since become one of my absolute favorite fragrances. It’s a little bit woodsy and smoky. But (as described above) it blends in floral and citrus notes to keep the fragrance from being too masculine. An obsession was born. I then went on to try their body wash. (It’s heaven, makes you feel like you are showering in the rain forest.) Don’t even get me started on their candle. It’s incredible!

An Amazing Gift Idea from Costa Brazil

Today I wanted to talk about a great gift idea from Costa Brazil. Of course, the brand has some amazing gift options under $50 and under $100. But today, I wanted to talk about their Travel Essentials Kit!

ALSO – amazing news! Costa Brazil is offering my audience 30% off sitewide! Use code THESTRIPE30 and don’t forget to select expedited shipping to receive in time for Christmas, expires 12/31/2022.

The Travel Essentials Kit is priced at $125 but contains $335 worth of product. It contains smaller sizes of their Hydrating Face Cleanser, Face Serum, Kaya Anti-Aging Face Oil, Body Cream, and Kaya Jungle Firming Body Oil. I brought the kit with me to Miami and felt so luxurious — the products are truly world class (especially the oils!). This set would make an amazing gift for any skincare lover (especially if they travel a lot!). It’s luxurious and the products leave skin GLOWING!

PS. More gift ideas here!

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I wear fragrance every day; for me it is just as important to my outfit as the rest of my accessories. It’s the finishing touch! A lot of you know this and a lot of you don’t, but I spent eight years working in the fragrance industry… first as an associate buyer of women’s fragrances and then in marketing for some big fragrance brands. After living and breathing fragrance for such a huge part of my life, I have accumulated a lot of knowledge about the industry and it is still, years later, a big passion of mine.

Today I wanted to share a few great fragrance gifts from Jimmy Choo, Montblanc, Kate Spade, and Coach… all available at Macy’s! I will tell you a little bit about the notes of each fragrance too. For reference: the top notes are what you smell when you first smell the fragrance. The heart is what you smell after the perfume has settled on your skin after an hour or two of wear. And the base notes (also called the dry down) of a fragrance is what lingers on the skin. Base notes tend to have a lingering depth and warmth, adding complexity to a scent.

Fragrance Gifts Everyone Will Love

I have loved Coach’s Signature fragrance for a long time now.

It’s a really light, easy to wear fragrance. I already own and wear this, so this year, I am giving one to my sister. The fragrance itself is inspired by leather tea roses. It has a citrusy top note but the jasmine heart makes it a little more sophisticated. The dry down is a soft, crystal musk. The blend of citrus and wood/musk really does it for me! (I love the larger 5 oz. size too!).

Since we are giving ourselves something (naturally), I am giving myself this Coach Wild Rose Set.

I think of the Wild Rose fragrance as the signature scent’s big sister. When you first spritz it on, you smell juicy fruit and redcurrants. The heart is where you get that delicate rose fragrance. The dry down is woodsy and warm.

My boyfriend has had fun getting more into fragrance since dating me (mostly because I am always giving him samples, to see what he will like!) There are two fragrances that I am gifting him this year. Both of these fragrances are on the lighter side — he is not a big over the top cologne person (just a spritz or two) and likes fragrance but not too much fragrance if that makes sense.

Montblanc Explorer has the coolest packaging.

I love the leather wrapping. This one is a little bit spicy and woody, I love it! The patchouli base notes really stand out to me. This one is perfect for evenings or events, etc. as it is a more sexy scent. .

Coach for Men is a great everyday fragrance for guys.

It’s aromatic and woodsy — but it feels very fresh and light too. It opens with bergamot notes, the heart has coriander and geranium, and the base features vetiver, suede, and ambergris. I’m giving him this set!

One last suggestion! Kate Spade Sparkle.

This smells amazing, with notes of peony, blackcurrant, and vanilla creme brulee. The set is a fantastic deal (I always love when a purse spray is included!).

Macy’s has great fragrance gifts for everyone in your life and Jimmy Choo, Montblanc, Kate Spade, and Coach all have such great gift sets this time of year. Shop them now before the holiday shipping cutoff!

Find more gift ideas here!

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Whenever my skin is feeling dull or tired (common for me during the holidays!), I reach for Vitamin C. It is one of my favorite ingredients for mornings as it immediately brightens my skin, leaving it glowy and radiant. Our friends at Biossance just launched their newest product: their Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Moisturizer. I was lucky enough to snag a jar to test early. I have been using this as my day cream for the past few weeks and LOVE the results. My skin is noticeably brighter and more radiant.

The other great thing about Vitamin C is that with time, it helps build collagen. So by using a Vitamin C serum or moisturizer like this one every day, you build more collagen. Collagen plumps up the skin, helping to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Biossance squalane + vitamin c rose moisturizer review

Net takeaway: you’ll notice immediate brightening and radiance benefits. But over time: smoother skin and fewer fine lines. Also! Biossance has given us a code.. now through 1/6/23, take 20% off all full size products (no bundles or gift sets, sadly!) with code THESTRIPE20 .

First impressions:

This moisturizer is lightweight and sinks in immediately. The texture is amazing – it’s almost a little bit bouncy, like a gel. I like that it absorbs so quickly and has more of a matte finish. I will add that I have really dry skin so like to sometimes top it off with a couple drops of the Squalane + Vitamin C rose oil.

Product Ingredients and Benefits:

The formula itself is packed with antioxidants. You already know about Vitamin C. It defends the skin from the environment, brightens the look of skin, and promotes collagen production. But it also contains fermented lemon peel, which is a natural alternative to leading chemical brighteners. It works to brighten and even out skin tone. Lastly: squalane, which you probably know all about my now if you’re a long time reader. Squalane is Biossance’s signature ingredient (naturally derived from sugar cane!), providing instant hydration and locking in moisture.

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Biossance Black Friday Sale

The Biossance Black Friday Sale kicked off this week… this is one of my favorite sales of the entire year as Biossance goes BIG with their sale, offering an unbeatable 30% off sitewide sale AND some really great exclusive offers (like an 10 piece mega bag valued at $175 when you spend $75 or more!).

If you are a long time reader, you know how much I love Biossance. Everything they make is incredibly high-tech while also being vegan, cruelty-free, and EWG-verified.

First thing first: I always like to highlight Biossance’s key ingredient… it’s in all of their products: SQUALANE.

Biossance’s squalane is one of the things that a) makes their products so effective but b) makes me love them even more as a brand… they are a really wonderful company that genuinely cares about the planet and wants to make a difference. The body produces its own version (known as squalene). But as we age, our body’s ability to produce and retain squalene decreases. Squalane is traditionally harvested from shark livers (awful!) which has a devastating impact on the environment.

Biossance has found a way to derive their 100% plant-based squalane sustainably, from sugarcane. Squalane is in all of their products, and it is a weightless oil that instantly locks in moisture. That’s one of the reasons I love their lactic acid so much; the products are ultra-effective without drying out your skin.

I have a lot of Biossance favorites (I buy a couple bottles of the lactic acid during this sale as it’s the best price of the year) but what I was most excited about was trying their BRAND NEW RETINOL!

Biossance Squalane and Retinol Night Serum

I was lucky enough to get a bottle of Biossance’s new retinol to test ahead of time and I have been using this as my retinol (2-3 nights a week). I really, really love it. And I like how gentle it is. Just like with the the lactic acid, the squalane hydrates your skin which helps to minimize irritation. I did not experience any dryness or irritation in using this product which is rare for retinol… usually there is a (worth it but still annoying!) break in period.

This serum targets fine lines, dark spots, rough texture, and blemishes… without any dryness. It contains a blend of time-release retinol and retinal. The time release technology allows the retinoids to penetrate the skin more deeply but gradually (they release over 8 hours) which gives gentle but dramatic results. Isn’t science cool?

Biossance’s Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum

I LOVE THE LACTIC ACID. If you have followed me for any length of time, you know how I can go on and on and on about this. Biossance’s Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum is a wonder product. In just one use your skin will be smoother and brighter. I still remember the first time I tried it. I couldn’t believe how much smoother my skin was the next day, after just ONE single use. It’s powerful – 10% lactic acid… but as I mentioned above, the squalane lets it exfoliate the skin without drying you out.

Even more Biossance Favs!

This brand does such a good job with serums.

Besides the lactic acid I love the Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum.

This is a great daytime Vitamin C serum. It is incredible for brightening the skin (and fading dark spots – I make sure to use this on my chest, where I have some sun damage).

Also on the serums front:

The Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum.

This is a fabulous moisturizing serum and it is amazing because it instantly plumps up the skin, reducing the look of fine lines. This is a temporary benefit, but a very good one! I use this after toning, before any other serums (I love that you can layer it with your other serums!!!). It plumps and firms and hydrates deeply. I use this almost every morning, before Vitamin C! There is a longer review of this serum right this way.

This gentle cleanser is fantastic too.

Such a good gentle everyday face wash.

I also LOVE Biossance’s Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner. 

This is great because it has BHAs to gently exfoliate. So you get that little tingle (and it tightens up pores, minimizing their appearance) but thanks to the Squalane (again: power ingredient!!) it will not dry you out. I love this toner. Toner is the final step of the cleansing process: after cleansing, before your serums and creams.

The Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream is one of my favorites.

It’s really, really hydrating, which makes it great for dry skin. This one delivers a lifted look, almost immediately… smoothing and firming the under eye area. (It’s an Allure Best of Beauty winner for good reason – those awards are no joke!).

The Squalane + Omega Repair Cream is what I reach for whenever my skin is acting funny or upset.

(I had a histamine reaction a while back and my derm told me I needed to give my skin a break. So it was just a gentle cleanser (this one, mentioned above) and this cream. Worked like a charm, my skin was back to normal in a couple weeks. This is so gentle. It’s even been accepted by the National Eczema Association. It’s rich, but not greasy.

I always forget about the Squalane + Caffeine Toning Body Cream but it’s one of my most re-purchased Biossance products.

This body cream is heaven. It’s super creamy and hydrating, it’s got caffeine to firm and tone, and it smells wonderful (highly recommend the light citrus scent!). It’s also a great price… just $30!

Make sure to check out Biossance’s Black Friday Sale right now for 30% off sitewide.

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My Number One Beauty Essential

If you have been here a while, you know that Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream is hands down, far and away, my number one beauty necessity. My skin just loves this moisturizer. I have very dry skin and up until discovering this several years ago, I hadn’t found anything that hydrated it quite as well. I make sure that no matter what other products I am testing or trying, I get this on my skin at least once a day. It is my true holy grail. Leaves skin dewy, hydrated, radiant, and glowing. And on top of that, there are the brand’s incredible anti-aging properties. I have been using this cream for years and have noticed such a difference in not only hydration but also an improvement of fine lines and wrinkles and more even skin tone. It is the best moisturizer I’ve ever used.

Professor Bader (the person)’s story is incredible. He is a globally recognized biomedical scientist and physician and one of the foremost experts in the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. He’s spent 30 years developing technologies to help the human body heal itself. In 2008 he developed a Wound Gel that heals severe skin traumas without the need for surgery or skin grafts. This is what inspired Augustinus Bader skincare.

As I mentioned above, this is THE best moisturizer I have ever tried. But you already know that, as I talk about it pretty much constantly. Today, I wanted to talk about some of the ways it is a must-have for the holiday season.

Restores Dry, Dehydrated Skin.

This is the most obvious one. During the holiday season, we are out and about more than usual. Parties and events are FUN but all of that champagne (plus turning the heat on!) leads to dry, dehydrated, tired-looking skin. This product brings my skin back to life. At night I always make sure that I take all of my makeup off, and if I’ve had a big night I add an extra pump (usually I do 3 pumps but 4 if I feel like my skin needs a little extra) of The Rich Cream. I will massage it into my skin and really concentrate on areas that get dry and dehydrated (for me it’s my forehead and cheeks). And I also really love packing on a little bit under my area. I have noticed that this makes a big difference the next day.

It mixes beautifully with foundation.

For a dewy, radiant look, I like to take just one pump of The Rich Cream (keep in mind I have already used it as my moisturizer at this point) and one pump of foundation (this works really well with the RMS foundation). I will swirl the two products together on the back of my hand and voila… perfect, radiant, no-makeup, makeup. (You can see how this looks in the reel that I filmed for the brand).

It’s the perfect highlight!

Last but not least, I will take maybe a half of a pump and pat it on the high points of my skin AFTER makeup. Like as a final step. Cheekbones, browbones, collar bones. It’s gorgeous and makes you look like you are just naturally GLOWING.

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Today is MOVING DAY but also… the most wonderful time of the year, my favorite time to shop, and most importantly… the best best best time to stock up on all of your beauty favorites… the Sephora Sale.

Today I am sharing what I am buying, a BIG master list of all my Sephora favorites, and more! In my experience, the good stuff seems to sell out quickly (cough, cough, Dr. Bader) and isn’t always replenished by the end of the sale so I recommend shopping today if you are able to. I feel very fortunate to have Rouge status and always make a point to shop early, on the first day.

SEPHORA Holiday SAVINGS EVENT 2022!

Sale Details!

THE EVENT WILL RUN FROM 10/28 through 11/6. If you have Rouge status, you can shop today, saving 20%. Use code SAVINGS.

My Shopping List for Today:

A refill of the Dr. Bader soothing cream. I just finished my jar and want more. I really love this – I wrote a longer post about it, but it’s very calming and also great when I want hydration but a more matte finish (the Rich Cream gives a more dewy finsih!). But also, a bottle of the regular old Dr. Bader Rich Cream which you know is my FAV. (This set is a very good deal, if it hasn’t already sold out – I always try to get a set and then stack it with the sale).

More of the Clarins Depuffing Mask. This always sells out. To say that it works is an understatement. It is truly one of the best products I’ve ever tried, nothing is better for getting rid of a puffy face! Also on the masks front: another jar of the Tata mask… I’m getting dangerously low!

Another tube of this crazy face scrub (more on that below!)

This gel to use with my NuFace.

My favorite Maison Louis Marie Candles (I always order 3 or 4 during this sale, they smell incredible (pretty much just like Le Labo’s Santal 26, but at a fraction of the price). Lord Jones Lavender CBD bath salts. These are just so luxe. I love them. As a sidebar – if you are doing your holiday shopping, either of these items make amazing gifts!

Necessaire Body Lotion, Deodorant, and Body Wash (Eucalyptus). My favorites. I go through the lotion and body wash like water so always stock up during this sale!

Another jar of the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. My boyfriend is obsessed with the fragrance of this one. When I wear it (and the body spray!), people will actually stop me to ask what perfume I am wearing.

PS – If you shop the sale, tag me in your stories! I want to see what you get!

A few new additions to my favorites list…

I just started using the new RMS foundation for when I want just a bit more coverage than usual and it is FABULOUS. I got shade matched by a pro at an event and my color is 22. It’s perfect. I wear this on shoot day and for events. Love it so much.

THE scrub. This scrub is nuts! It really works — a combination of physical and chemical exfoliants. While it’s gentle, the crazy thing is that you can actually feel dead skin pilling and rubbing off. Kind of like Elmer’s Glue.

The Paula’s Choice brightening eye cream. This is my morning eye cream – it really brightens up the undereye area and plays well with concealer.

For long lashes!

I always get a lot of eyelash questions in my DMs. I used Grande Lash every day for a year (starting last August) and it made a huuuuge difference in my lashes. You can read my full review of the product with before/after photos, but they got so much longer! Recently (really just out of curiosity), I switched to the Augustinus Bader lash and brow serum. I’m happy to report that I have seen no difference or lash fallout upon making the switch. I will do a longer review of this product eventually but wanted to share that here while the sale is going on!

It’s because I have been using Grande Lash every day since August and my lashes have gotten so, so much longer. (I also keep the mini in my travel bag so I never forget it – you really do need to use it every day or at least every other day). For mascara, I would say that I’m torn between the Hourglass and the Giorgio Armani one. Both are great. The Hourglass is a tubing mascara and does not budge, but the Armani gives you really fluffy, feathery lashes which I also love!

Pampering At Home!

This facial steamer is everything when it comes to creating an at home “spa experience.” It also ALWAYS sells out during this sale. I bought it for myself at the beginning of quarantine and it’s been such a treat. I like to wash my face and then use this before a deep cleansing mask to really let the treatment penetrate. This would be a GREAT gift.

The Wander Beauty gold eye gel masks are my favorite when I’m getting ready. (Also, a great gift!)

Clarins Depuffing Mask. I touched on this above but holy cow, this is amazing. I had seen a lot of other influencers rave and rave about it and they were not kidding. This really, really works. If you laid into the sodium the night before, if you have a big event, or if you are just feeling like your face is looking puffy, this mask will really help – especially around the jawline and under the eyes. I have been doing it before my photo shoots and notice a big difference.

If I could only pick one favorite face mask it would be this one from Tata Harper. It’s truly the best and leaves your skin SO glowy.

Dry brushing is one of the best things you can do for your skin and circulation (for a nice how-to, refer to this post!). This brush is amazing!

For a nice take on a micro-current facial at home (my personal favorite when getting a facial), the NuFace is KING! You need to do it every day to see a difference but for a lifted look, nothing is better. I also always stock up on the priming gel during this sale. This year I am trying out this one!

Skincare Favs!

Heavy Hitters…

For retinol, I have been really into the Peter Thomas Roth retinoid. It’s amazing for fighting off dullness and fine lines.

Strivectin is one of those brands that just really, really works. Science-based formulas with products designed for specific concerns. I have some deep lines in my neck and have been using their neck roller – I like the way that it firms and lifts the skin… though it’s temporary, it’s noticeable! I love the neck cream too – it has immediate tightening benefits. And you know my number one Strivectin FAV: the eye cream… I’ve talked about it a lot here but it’s one of the best I have tried! I use this every night.

My holy grail Tata Harper mask. It’s a powerful exfoliant and gets the skin super smooth but also leaves it noticeably brighter, glowy, and firm!

I always forget about this line reducing concentrate from Kiehl’s but it’s one of my FAVORITE products. It really makes a difference in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, especially on your forehead.

This face cream from Sobel Skin is what I always recommend to someone who wants a Bader-ish cream without the Bader-ish price. WOW. It’s so good. If you have very dry skin and need a really rich moisturizer, it’s excellent. I love that it also lifts and firms the skin. It’s a new favorite. I also really love their 30% glycolic peel. You will wake up with brighter, tighter looking skin the next day. It’s comparable with a dermatologist peel.

Two favorite brands!

You know I love Biossance!

I will warn you that the Biossance sale is coming in November and the sale is 25% off (higher savings!) but wanted to share my picks anyway. I feel like I beat you over the head with this brand but I can’t help it, their products are amazing. In fact, I absolutely love their lactic acid. It’s become a holy grail for me as it makes SUCH a difference in your skin in just a night. Also, this Vitamin C Serum – leaves skin so bright and GLOWY and has really helped to even out my skin tone. Lastly, their newish plumping + hydrating serum and their toner (my favorite toner). Everything this brand makes is amazing (well in full honesty I don’t love the eye gel but the eye cream is great – thick and hydrating!). Oh and the body cream SO GOOD and only $28… before the sale!

Farmacy is my other fav for clean beauty favorite.

Their cleansing balm is one of my absolute favorite cleansers. I’ve tried so many cleansers (many of them being so much more expensive!!) but always come back to this – it takes off all my makeup while leaving the skin so soft. I am also a big fan of  this ultra gentle (honey scented) gel cleanser.

Makeup Favs!

For everyday, the Rose Inc Skin Tint is everything. Glowy radiance and just a little bit of coverage. It is kind of like a pre-mixed version of what I was trying to make, mixing face oil, a few drops of foundation, a drop of highlighter in the palm of my hand. This has it all. I do two pumps on the back of my hand, (mix it up with a foundation brush and brush all over my skin for glowy, radiant, minimal (yet effective) coverage. Shade 5 seems to be my perfect shade. I also really love Rose Inc’s brow gel!

My absolute favorite blush – in Petal!

Saie Beauty makes so many of my absolute favorites. The Glowy Super Gel is one of my absolute favorite products – I like to apply it all over my face for that no makeup makeup GLOW. I am also VERY into their cream bronzer; my favorite bronzer – I recommend grabbing the brush too, it makes a difference.

Bobbi Brown Shadow Sticks forever and ever (I did a tutorial in my reels). My favorite colors are golden pink and golden bronze. This set would be great too – only $30 before the sale!

Glowscreen! Is it makeup? Is it skincare? It’s kind of both but I love it so much and wear it nearly every day.

Ilia is definitely another big favorite brand. A few standouts are this eye palette (in warm) – I apply with a wet brush and the finish is perfection), their mascara, these sticks (in “in the mood”), this highlighter (in starstruck), and their eyeliner (best gel eyeliner!)

The BeautyBlender. I’d be lost without mine. I use it for everything from blending my foundation and highlighter to fixing eye makeup mistakes.

The KOSAS lipstick in Rosewater. This is one of my absolute favorite everyday products. It is the color of my lips but just a little better.

Hair Products:

I am pretty much all Briogeo these days. The scalp scrub is heavenly. I have talked about it at length but it’s just the best. Smells so good (like a Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie!), feels so good, and gets your scalp ultra clean. I love the newer anti-dandruff shampoo. My everyday shampoo and conditioner are from the Don’t Despair Repair line… they leave my hair soft and silky and frizz free. And this treatment mask is fantastic when my hair is feeling dry and needs a little extra hydrating love.

The Dyson Airwrap, of course! This is the absolute best ever. It’s made blowing out my hair so much easier. I have tutorials in my reels for both longer and shorter hair. A true game changer. I like it so much that I gave my blow dryer to my cousin.

Body Products:

You know how much I love Necessaire. They’re pretty much my go-to body brand. The Eucalyptus Body Wash, the Body Lotion, and the Acid Deodorant are everyday favorites. I love their scrub too.

I am not monogamous with my body creams but my absolute favorite body lotion (if forced to pick) is this one from Sol de Janeiro. It smells like salted caramel, and it does a great job firming and toning the skin.

Also on the body creams front, this one from Biossance is very very good, especially if you are looking for something firming. (What can I say, I have a lot of body creams!)

I need to talk more about Necessaire’s newest deodorant because I love it so much. I like it a lot more than their other deodorant (which was creamier, but messier). This glides right on, feels like nothing (makes no mess – it’s totally clear) and WORKS… all day. It’s currently my favorite deodorant. Acid deodorants are no joke (I will say this is fine for sensitive skin, despite being an acid – besides the acids it has ingredients that soothe and moisturize).

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Beauty Pie x Jenna Lyons

I have been SO excited about this launch as it is a really good one: Beauty Pie and Jenna Lyons have teamed up to create an incredible collection of lipsticks, or rather… Unlipsticks. Lightweight and buildable, with a matte blot look – like blush, for your lips… but still creamy and hydrating. I didn’t think it was possible for a brand to create such a hydrating formula that is also very sheer and matte. These are a wonder product!

Beauty Pie Refresher

You know how much I love Beauty Pie. They are a luxury members club for beauty products. You pay one low annual membership fee ($59) and in exchange you will be able to shop for luxury beauty. Think skincare, makeup, haircare, bodycare, candles (obsessed with their candle), fine fragrances, accessories, even nutritional supplements. All at up to 75% off traditional retail prices… Beauty Pie strips out the 10X typical industry markup.

Beauty Pie was founded by Marcia Kilgore (the woman who brought us Bliss, Soap & Glory, and more!) It is the first membership club of its kind. They work directly with the world’s leading beauty labs to get access to the same luxury products we all know and love… for way less! Use code GRACESENTME for $10 off your first Beauty Pie order.

Beauty Pie x Jenna Lyons Unlipstick

Jenna Lyons obviously needs no introduction. She’s a global style and the woman who “dressed America!” She’s also a self-professed lipstick obsessive… I feel like she is kind of famous for that bold red-orange lip we all know and love! (For the record, shade “Jenna” will help you replicate her iconic look.)

The formulas are made in Italy and just… extraordinary. They are moisturizing and sheer… yet matte. The best way to describe it is like putting blush on your lips, but with a little bit of that hydrating lip balm feel we all still want, especially as colder temperatures arrive.

They are natural and buildable. So if you want to go bold, do that! I really like that you can wear just a coat for a hint of color or build up the shade (and use the coordinating liner for something more statement-making. There are eight shades (including a trio of perfect reds, reflecting Jenna’s iconic style), plus five mix-and-match liners.

Says Jenna on the Unlipstick: “It’s so sheer and so conditioning when it first goes on, and it genuinely does build in intensity with more layers, but not in an old-fashioned, loaded-up ‘lippy’ way.”

Sustainability!

I love that the Unlipstick bullets are sold as refills that fit perfectly into Beauty Pie’s Keep This Case (a refillable lipstick case). The case is made of 100% recycled aluminum. It has a magnetic closure and click and feels very high end. You can wait til you are done with a bullet OR, switch things up depending on your mood. The bullets easily snap in and out and each bullet comes with a little cap to keep it fresh.

Unlipstick Shades

I tried out four of the shades: Jenna, Strike While It’s Hot, Crushed Petal, and Nothing On. See below for iPhone photos showing how they look on me!

Strike While It’s Hot is the perfect warm red.

Nothing On is a peachy nude.

Crushed Petal is a really pretty neutral pink.

Jenna is the perfect fiery orange-red.

Don’t forget! Use code GRACESENTME for $10 off your first Beauty Pie order.

The post Beauty Pie x Jenna Lyons. appeared first on The Stripe.

One of the things I love most about running this blog is the element of discovery. Every day I receive pitches for countless products and services to try. It is my job to weed through it all and share the best stuff with you. Skin care! Clean beauty! Makeup! And on top of that, I am such a shopper myself. I love buying and trying things and reporting back to you with my favorites. And nothing gets me more excited than finding a hidden gem that not everyone knows about yet.

Smaller brands tend to offer high quality, unique and innovative products that beauty lovers love. They’re often mission-based or create their products in small batches with natural ingredients. And they’re rising in popularity as the demand grows for cleaner, better beauty products. The other thing I love is that oftentimes when you support one of these smaller brands, you are supporting an actual person, which is pretty cool.

Also cool is feeling like you have the inside scoop and are using something not everyone else knows about (yet!). Today I am sharing a handful of indie beauty brands I personally really love and think you should know about (if you don’t already!). Some are pretty popular already, but there are af ew up & comers. If they haven’t already taken the beauty industry by storm, they surely will!

13 INDIE BEAUTY BRANDS TO KNOW

Favorite Indie Skin Care Brands

French Farmacie

You are going to love this skin care brand. I haven’t seen it featured very many other places but I have a pretty big feeling that will change. As of writing this, there are just two products, both of which I have tried and really like. The first is the Sérum Radiant, a face oil that will give skin the loveliest GLOW. This is great for evening out the skin tone. The second is the Élixir Exfoliant which is one of the more unique products I have tried. At first blush it has all of the qualities of a face oil but it’s actually a mask! Leave it on for 10-30 minutes and then wipe clean. It gently exfoliates while hydrating. It’s really, really nice.

Klur

Over the past few years I’ve become a die-hard Klur fan. Their skin care products are AMAZING – these are high performing products for sure. It started with their Elements of Comfort Body Oil (still a favorite fancy gift to give!) which smells like orange blossom and neroli. It’s heavenly. I also love their gentle cleanser (and you can mix in these grains to make them a face scrub), this cream, and this face oil. This brand is clean, Black-owned, ethical, self-funded, inclusive, sustainable skin care… I could go on. My favorite Klur product far and away is their Supreme Seed Face Mask. It smells faintly of cocoa and manages to purify AND hydrate at the same time. It’s fantastic. One of the best masks I have ever used.

Tammy Fender

Tammy Fender’s skin care products are organic, custom-blended products that use the traditions of holistic medicine. They’re prepared in small batches, which I love. My favorites from her are her Epi-Peel (such a great exfoliating treatment – leave it on like a mask for a while; and then use it as a scrub) and her Bulgarian Rosewater Face Mist (pure luxury!). Tammy Fender is proof that natural small batch products can also be really effective and backed in science.

Linne Botanicals

Linné is my latest obsession. I feel like I have shared them a million times now, but had to include here as well. Really high performing products, thoughtfully crafted, with high quality ingredients. I was especially intrigued as they are based right here in Charleston, but when I tried the products I was just like.. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE! I started (naturally) with the bath salts. These are heavenly. Packed with magnesium, coconut oil, clay, and honey. These are such a treat. Next, I tried this exfoliating body wash. This is just… whoa. First of all, it’s jet black. When applied to the body it foams up a little and turns grey. I like to leave it on like a body mask. It purifies, cleanses, helps with uneven skin tone, exfoliates… it’s just wonderful.

And then, I tried this purifying cleanser/mask hybrid. Equally wonderful (and it smells like the spa in a jar). I love that it’s somehow creamy… but also, clay? I definitely recommend leaving it on as a mask. This would be great for acne prone skin, but really all skin types as it is not drying at all. I also tried the scrub/mask and love that too. Seriously, everything from this brand is SO GOOD. PS – we have a code with Linné! GRACE15 gets you 15% off sitewide!

Kate McLeod

Kate McLeod’s body stones are heaven (and make for such a great gift – I got them for everyone in my family a few holidays ago!). They are basically a solid moisturizer that warms up when it touches your body. Applying body lotion becomes a ritual- gliding the stone all over your body. I love them. There are lots of different ones but my favorite is the “Grounding.”

Kate lynn & Adwoa Skin + Body care

I found out about this brand when I was an ambassador for the Seeds of Beauty campaign. Upon the announcement that Kate Lynn & Adwoa was a finalist, I had to order a few things. I fell in love with their shea body butters (so lush and hydrating) and black soap body wash! The products are 100% natural and also serve as a tribute and source of empowerment to the women of Ghana.

Favorite Indie Makeup Brands

(Honestly, I am not sure if RMS, Saie, and Westman Atelier even count as they’ve grown so much, but they’re favorites of mine so I wanted to include anyway!)

Kjaer Weis

Kjaer Weis is a Danish brand founded by makeup artist Kristen Kjaer Weis. Their products are truly LUXE. Some of the most beautiful (mostly refillable) products you’ll ever lay eyes on (the packaging is just exquisite), high-performance organic skin care and cosmetics. She actually spent seven years developing the line before it debuted in 2010. I love her mascaras and lipsticks and that most of the products (bronzer, blush) are cream based. This mascara is particularly fab!

Vapour

I am newer to Vapour but really like their products, especially this highlighting stick and their brow gel (my current favorite brow gel, for the record!). I was not a big fan of the mascara but really like everything else that I have tried.

Saie Beauty

I have been a tremendous fan of Saie since they first launched. Everything they do is magical. They are one of my absolute favorite cosmetics lines. I have done a lot of really in depth reviews of Saie products. First: a review of the brand when they first launched, then their glowy gel + highlighters, and of course their cream bronzer (obsessed). In my opinion, their best products are the bronzer (+ brush!), the glowy super gel, and the mascara. I have been testing the new lip blur lipsticks and will have a review of those out in the next month or two.

RMS Beauty

I think that RMS was actually the first clean color cosmetic brand I ever tried. I feel like they have really taken the beauty industry by storm. And I remember my friend Victoria came to visit and brought me their living luminizer. I had never tried a highlighter and was just… enamored! Now, they hare a full range. They make so many of my favorite products including the famous Uncoverup and their (gorgeous!) blush (Smile is my favorite).

For the products that come in pots I do think there is a bit of a learning curve (warming them up between your fingers is key, and for the Uncoverup, I find it works best using a brush) but it’s worth it! This reel has a little explainer for the blush, Uncoverup, and luminizer! I also really like the primer (I always recommend this as a more affordable alternative to the Bader one) and the new foundation (for when I want something a little bit more full coverage). More to come on both of those!

La Bouche Rouge

I think that what La Bouche Rouge is doing is nothing short of incredible. Beautiful refillable leather lipstick cases (if you order directly from their site, you can have it monogrammed) with refillable lipstick bullets. They also have sets. I hope that the beauty industry follows their lead… I’d love to see more refillable products (done in such a luxurious way).

Westman Atelier

Is Westman Atelier indie? IDK. But I wanted to include them as I am such a huge fan. Their cream blush is my favorite (Petal is my go-to but Minette is the prettiest coral!). I love their highlighters too. I will say that I tried the new foundation drops and am only medium on them. So I will use up the bottle, but would not repurchase. As a dry skinned gal I just find them a bit too matte for my liking!

Ere Perez

Ere Perez is an Australian beauty brand. Their cosmetics line features formulas that are free of toxins and use only plant-based ingredients. My favorites from this brand are the bronzer (super natural and pretty) and this beetroot cheek + lip tint. The red one looks like a cherry popsicle. The cheek and lip tint is very highly pigmented… a little goes a long way!

Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.

The post 13 Indie Beauty Brands to Know and Love. appeared first on The Stripe.

It has been a little while since I’ve shared an updated makeup routine so today I thought I would share one. You can see it live in this reel on Instagram. I like my makeup to be no fuss (no contouring, no fancy eye makeup) and natural. I bow down to those who can do a more dramatic “look” but that is just not me… And I want things simple, easy, and hard to mess up!

fall makeup routine

When I filmed the reel, it took me seven minutes. Simple and FAST. Again, I don’t like a lot of fuss!

I start with Augustinus Bader x Victoria Beckham’s primer.

I feel bougie with this choice (especially because I use The Rich Cream as well and there are a lot of other great primers like the RMS one) but this is my absolute favorite. It has just a little bit of light reflecting pigment in it, which blends away imperfections and gives you a little glow.

After that, a little bit of concealer.

I have been really into the new Charlotte Tilbury concealer. I find it’s great on dry skin and doesn’t settle into fine lines. My shade is medium. I use the Artis oval brush to blend it in. Best concealer blush.

Then, it’s the Jones Road “What the Foundation.”

My shade right now is medium but I use beige when I am less tan. I apply this with the Rose Inc. foundation brush. I wrote more about this foundation in my big Jones Road review but I absolutely love this foundation. It is so creamy but not heavy; feels amazing on the skin!

Then, it’s the Saie bronzer in “light bronze” (I use their brush too!)

I apply bronzer all over my face for a sun kissed glow. I have a longer review of this bronzer but it’s been my favorite bronzer for a long time now. Really natural and pretty.

Then, a little bit of cream blush, high on the cheeks.

Westman Atelier blushes are my favorite. I go between Petal and Minette. And I used Minette for this look. I also use the Rose Inc. brush for this!

I fill in my brows with the Jones Road brow pencil in Ash.

Then, brush in a bit of Rose Inc’s brow gel. I use the tinted one in shade 2, warm blonde.

On my eyes I use three products.

First, the Ilia gel liner in Dusk, a pretty dark brown. Then, Bobbi Brown’s shadow stick in shell. This is a nice base that cancels out any discoloration on the eyelid. Then, Chantecaille eye shadow in Lion, shimmery bronze.

For mascara, right now I am testing the new Vapour mascara.

It’s decent. Not the best mascara I’ve tried but gives great length and volume.

On my lips, I do Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillowtalk.

Always a favorite – it’s universally flattering – I like that it is a lot like my own natural lip color but just a bit better.

PS – My robe is from Kassatex! Love their monograms. I wear the S/M.

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