49 Shows. Two Months. These Products Made It. Winter Season Edition.

Opening week at NYCB!

Hello from backstage. It's freezing in NYC and I'm praying for a snow day tomorrow so I can make cinnamon rolls - unlikely, but a girl can dream. Winter Season starts right after 49 shows of Nutcracker - recovery time could be better planned, but I don't make the rules. Lucky for me, I've been doing this long enough to have my tools dialed. They keep me sane. Quite frankly, they make me feel hot. If you're also in the thick of it, I hope these help.

I’m a Capricorn. I don’t do mediocre. It either works, or it doesn’t.

As a little girl, I carried around a purse stuffed with fake makeup like it was treasure. But the defining moment was my mom putting lipstick on me before my first recital. There’s a photo. I looked curious. I still am.

Now, beauty has become the place where I let myself have fun. I want to watch the Korean YouTubes with subtitles, screenshotting every product they use. I want to play with color contacts. I want to try the thing no one’s heard of yet. It’s the corner of my life where self-care doesn’t feel like another item on a to-do list - it feels like play. Inner beauty (which, yes, I do believe in), effective skincare, and the purely aesthetic stuff that just makes you feel hot and otherworldly. I genuinely love it all. I don’t wear much makeup during the day. But onstage, I love creating a character. I wonder what I’ll do with this outlet when I stop performing.

I really do leave no stone unturned when it comes to research. That includes ongoing WhatsApp chats with my friends in Korea - keeping up on all the trends, having them send me things that inevitably get stuck in customs for months on end. I’ve yet to fully lose a package. I consider this a point of pride.

Ballet magnifies everything (I feel like this could be its own substack — noted) - including the wear and tear on your skin. The rosin on your feet. The stage makeup on and off every single night. You get offstage at 10:40 pm, sweaty, sticky taped up feet, pumped muscles, in full theatrical face, and you’re back at the theater less than 10 hours later. You feel like death and your face is crying. After years of this, I’ve learned what actually moves the needle. These are my non-negotiables. Damage control. SOS. The products I reach for when I need to look alive again :)

The products I always come back to. Not because they’re trendy, not because someone gifted them to me, but because they work. I’ve lost count of how many empties I’ve created.

The Lymphatic Brush. I discovered the Chikly Lymphatic method years ago when I was dealing with swelling I couldn’t explain. Most brushes are too harsh - this one mimics the light touch that actually moves fluid. Swollen glands, puffy cheeks, post-flight face. I use it every morning. I’ve converted at least six friends. (More on lymph soon - it deserves its own post.)

Clarins V Mask. The mask I reach for when I wake up puffy. Which is often. I keep mine in the fridge - instant depuff, instant reboot. I don’t know how many empties I’ve created at this point. I wish they’d sponsor me. They should.

Hyology Refining Toner. The toner that brings my skin back to life after stage makeup. I’ve emptied more bottles than I can count. The texture is divine - not milky, not sticky, just right. It’s the first thing I reach for after I take everything off. Perfection is not a word I use lightly.

Zero Pore Pads. The exfoliating pads that deliver a flawless base with zero irritation. My skin gets raw - stage makeup, NYC winters, the constant on and off. Most exfoliators are too harsh for me. These aren’t. Smooth skin, pores clean, no redness, no sting. I’ve tried others. I always come back.

Rejuran Dual Effect. The serum that keeps your skin bouncy. I used to have friends ship this to me from Korea - customs, delays, the whole thing. It’s finally on Amazon now. I’m still not over how long I had to wait to get it easily. Worth every hassle.

Alastin Tinted Sunscreen. When I wake up looking like I haven’t slept enough (which is often lately), this is what saves me. Evens out skin tone, provides SPF, no breakouts. One product, done. I wear it almost every day. My only complaint is the shade range. I’d love more options. If they’re listening - please.

Saie Glowy Super Gel. Even on days when I’m wearing nothing but sunscreen, I put this on the high points of my face. Seamless formula, instant fresh glow. It just works.

Only products that move the needle make it into this kit. If they don’t serve a purpose, they’re cut. Winter Season at NYCB is my hardest push of the year (there’s a book about it - wildly accurate). Running Get Golden at the same time means the systems have to be tight. No room for anything that doesn’t work.

Anua Heartleaf Toner Pads. First thing I reach for after stage makeup comes off. My skin is stripped, irritated, done. These calm everything down before I even get home to do a proper cleanse.

Cicaplast Mains. I have one in every bag. Nothing fancy, just works. Essential when it’s 17 degrees and my hands are falling apart.

Kerestase Hair Oil. I wash my hair every day - yes, I know, not ideal - but the crunchy performance hairspray situation is not something I can sleep on. This on the ends after I shower keeps everything soft and bouncy despite the abuse.

Mediheal Eye Patches. I’ve tried countless eye patches - I have favorites for different reasons. These are for when I need pure hydration - no harsh actives, just moisture. Paris Hilton swears consistently wearing eye patches keeps her wrinkle-free. I’m not arguing.

The Pimple Patches. When stage makeup and sweat start causing problems, these are what I reach for. Most pimple patches are too harsh for me - they make everything worse. These have madecassoside. Calms redness, doesn’t irritate. Finally.

The Steam Eye Masks. Japanese. A dream. I discovered them when I got blepharitis - wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. Now they’re part of my morning routine. Ten minutes during my Open, eyes closed, letting them do their thing. They lubricate and get the circulation moving. Goodbye stagnation.

Clean Slate Mist. I have a lot of face mists. This one earns its spot because it actually does something - keeps sweat from breaking me out when I can’t wash my face. Long rehearsal days, back-to-back shows, post-workout. Buys me time. Skin stays clear. Essential.

The Cryo Sticks. I’ve owned every ice roller at this point - purchased or gifted. This shape is still the best. Ergonomically it just makes sense. Most rollers don’t actually fit the contours of your face. These do. More comfortable, more effective. Done.

Current Body Red Light Mask. I’ll confess - I own many red light devices at this point. Collected, gifted, tested. This one wins during performance season. Limited time, need to multitask. It’s comfortable and does the job well.

Pure Lift Microcurrent. Ten years, three versions of this device. I’ve been using it since Face Gym opened in the UK - begged them to ship it to the US before they officially did. Still the best personal microcurrent device I’ve tried. Wakes up your face instantly. More toned, more alive. I’m loyal. (message me for a code xx)

Eyeing:

Vacuvia Tool. Name a lymph tool I will try it. Most are a waste of money, but when you find a good one they are game changers. Has anyone tried this? It looks like an at home version of cupping and Ricari that requires way less energy and money. Tiktok shop has done me in again.

Eli Health’s Hormometer. Saliva-based hormone testing - cortisol, testosterone, progesterone - results in 20 minutes, no lab, $8.25 a test. 90% accuracy against lab standards. Shipping Q1. I want to try this.

Testing:

GHK-Cu Peptide. I feel like this requires a peptide post, but I’m back testing GHK-Cu. Beyond a few other benefits, it’s supposed to help with glowing skin. I spoke to my doctor about it and we are going in. Between founder fatigue and freezing wind temperatures… I’m in need of more glow. Calling all reinforcements it’s an emergency.

PRP Microneedling. Over the years, the wear and tear of stage makeup has led to acne spots and pigmentation. This is supposed to be a game changer for evening out skin tone and increasing cellular repair. I’m SO excited for this one. First session is next week.

Reading:

OpenEvidence just raised $250M at a $12B valuation. It’s AI for doctors - trained only on peer-reviewed medical journals, not the internet. This is where medicine is going. I like knowing what the people treating me are reading.

New study in Molecular Psychiatry: researchers transplanted gut bacteria from people with bipolar depression into healthy mice. The mice started showing depression-like behaviors - moving less, losing interest in things they used to like. Their brain connectivity changed too. The gut is talking to the brain. Loudly. We’re just scratching the surface here.

Loving:

Boiled Apple Tea. While I still don’t listen to my herbalist about iced drinks (it’s been 10 years), I’ve been reminded of a favorite nighttime ritual - boiled cinnamon apple tea with jujube and goji berries - thanks to Sherry on TikTok. If you’re not on Chinese baddie TikTok, I feel sorry for you.