1

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum

I love the excitement of Charlotte Tilbury product names, don’t you? I typically use this Magic Serum in the morning, as I’ve found it to be an ideal canvas for any beauty products that follow. So what’s so “magic” here? It has Vitamin C which reduces the appearance of dark spots but the heavy hitter ingredient is the serum’s Polyglutamic Acid (“PGA”). PGA is the new buzzy ingredient in the skincare world. It’s a humectant whose main benefits are intense moisture and the reduction in appearance of wrinkles and pores. In fact, it’s said to be capable of holding ten times more water than Hyaluronic Acid (the reigning superstar in hydration). 

Since it’s new and expensive to produce, there are very few skincare products on the market that incorporate this powerhouse ingredient, but Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Serum is one of them. The hydrating serum has been a godsend as we head into dry skin season because it not only keeps my skin completely plump and moisturized, but also makes a big difference in combatting maskne. Keep in mind that when your skin is dehydrated, breakouts often get worse from increased inflammatory responses to stressors, higher oil production, and less cell turnover. It may not be the most intuitive thing in the world, but if you’re battling breakouts, make sure to amp up your hydration game.

2

Paula’s Choice Niacinamide Booster

Niacinamide, apart from being a way to completely dominate a game of Scrabble, is another superstar skincare ingredient that everyone should incorporate into their routine and this Paula’s Choice Niacinamide Booster is my favorite way to do that. To start, Niacinamide helps your skin build keratin, which is a protein that keeps your skin firm and healthy. Additionally, it helps your skin retain moisture, reduce inflammation, minimize pores and wrinkles, and regulate oil production. Niacinamide also reduces hyperpigmentation and treats acne, just FYI. This multi-tasking skincare hero is always a good idea, but especially right now when we’re fighting maskne, dryness and wrinkle concerns at the very same time. 

3

Peter Thomas Roth Hyaluronic Acid Serum

You’re going to start witnessing a theme in this post: Hydration is the name of the game when temperatures start to dip and if the product doesn’t have Hyaluronic Acid or Polygtluamic Acid, I’m probably not that interested. Without a doubt, this is the best Hyaluronic Acid Serum I’ve ever used. It works because its 75% Hyaluronic Acid Complex creates an invisible veil of hydration that attracts up to 1,000 times its weight in water from moisture in the atmosphere. It’s science. This product is all about replenishing your skin’s moisture, which has huge overall benefits to your skin’s overall health and appearance. This is part of my nighttime routine, and will likely always be. 

4

Kate Somerville EradiKate

While this truly life-changing EradiKate Acne Treatment isn’t actually new to me, it’s definitely a product that’s been rediscovered in my beauty cabinet, particularly since maskne has become a thing. The product is an acne spot-treatment that treats the breakouts you have now, while helping to prevent additional breakouts in the future. I’m telling you, this spot treatment just WORKS SO WELL. It contains the highest level of sulfur allowed to treat blemishes, and natural mineral zinc oxide to help control oil. If you’re struggling with mask-related breakouts, this is a must. Put a drop on your problem spots and you’ll be clear by morning.

5

Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint Foundation

Is there anything more gratifying than finding a foundation that feels amazing AND works really well? Such is true of Hourglass’ Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint Foundation. It’s a medium-to-full coverage product, so despite being called a “skin tint” it’s much more than your typical tinted moisturizer. The hyaluronic acid in this product helps your skin retain moisture, plumps fine lines and wrinkles and the luminous finish stays perfect all day long. A very little bit goes a long way, which means you’re getting a LOT for your money. 

6

Clé De Peau Concealer

You may have seen this Clé De Peau Concealer mentioned in a recent Monday Memo, and that’s because it truly is my new favorite FAVORITE concealer. It looks more natural on my skin than any other product I’ve tried, while also giving me full, lasting coverage. It doesn’t crease, it doesn’t cake, and while I still always lock in cream and liquid products with a light dusting of my favorite Laura Mercier translucent setting powder, this product somehow magically doesn’t really need it to stay perfect all day. I’m most certainly sleeping less as I balance work and mom duties, so this product is currently a HERO when it comes to concealing dark circles, redness or problem spots. It’s pricey, but rest-assured that one stick nearly lasts a lifetime. A little of this product goes a really long way.

7

YSL Tatouage Couture Liquid Matte Lip Stain

Ugh, our poor mouths. If you, too, have been doing a tango between wanting to wear lip color for zoom calls and not wanting that lip color to smear all over your face when it’s time to put on a mask, this is your product. YSL Tatouage Couture Liquid Matte Lip Stain gives you a high-impact color that’s lightweight, matte, and won’t disappear if you have to throw on a mask. THAT’S it’s real value to us right now. Several shades are on sale via Nordstrom as we speak! My current favorites are Rose Illicit and Nude Undercover.

8

Tan Luxe Water

This Tan-Lux Water, crystal clear, vitamin-infused tanning water is what I use to achieve a good glow. I use the medium/dark shade, but they also have light/medium if you’re particularly fair. I really love it because I’m a little sick of everything having added bronzer in it that rubs off on my sheets at night. And I also love it because you can use it on your body and your face, no need to purchase an extra face-specific product. 

A word of advice when applying: If you have dark hair, you can spray this directly on your face and body, and an even, natural color will emerge in just a few hours. If you have fair hair like me, I suggest not misting directly onto your face. Because it can collect in your hairline or brows, and make those areas darken and appear unnatural. A better option is to spray a bit onto a clean, dense kabuki brush (like this one), and apply it to your face, avoiding your eyebrows and hairline (including the thick peach fuzz area beneath your sideburns). 

You can use your hands. But if you do you’ll want to scrub your hands VERY thoroughly immediately after. I prefer the brush method, for the sake of ease and eliminating risk of accidental oompa loompa hands.

9

Nécessaire Body Serum

Everyone loves Hyaluronic Acid’s skin benefits. But have you ever put them to good use head-to-toe? This body serum is my favorite from the Nécessaire line, because I constantly struggle to find a lightweight body moisturizer that, you know, WORKS. This product feels like a lightweight gel, goes on without feeling the slightest bit greasy, dries immediately, and leaves my skin super hydrated. Maybe we can preempt itchy skin ENTIRELY this fall. Just a thought.

10

Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3

I’ve been going to the salon a lot less this year, which has forced me to up my at-home haircare game. Enter this cult-favorite Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3. This concentrated treatment strengthens your hair and prevents breakage like nothing I’ve ever tried before. The results are so INCREDIBLE. Add this pre-shampoo treatment to your hair repertoire 1-3 times per week and you’ll see the amazing results. And, while the bottle looks small, trust me: a tiny amount of this powerful, concentrated treatment goes a LONG way, and will last much longer than you think. 

11

Living Proof Dry Shampoo

I don’t know about you, but I’m not washing my hair as much as I did pre-pandemic. *laughs nervously* And while there aren’t as many reasons to need a fresh blow out, I still always love having fresh hair, so this dry shampoo is truly a blessing. It cleans, revives, and also volumizes without making your hair feel product-heavy. A rarity in the dry shampoo space, and so needed. There’s a reason this one has such incredible reviews. It’s that good.

12

Aerin Beauty Ambrette De Noir

This is officially my new FAVORITE scent for the season. An absolutely classic floral fall perfume, look for notes of rose petal, freesia, orange flower, jasmine and white peony. A little warmth comes through in the form of vanilla bourbon and cedarwood, both ideal for autumn. I love beginning my day by using this perfume, but I also love to use it around my house in unconventional ways. My favorite is to infuse my towels and linens with the scent by giving a washcloth roughly ten spritzes of perfume and adding it to the dryer near the end of the cycle. Everything in your load will take on a subtle hint of the scent.