Summer Beauty

Before we get down to beauty business I would like to formally invite you to a private event at a home in East Hampton that I am excited to do because it is with women I love. This is going to be a good one and it is Ulrika’s first time doing something stateside.

If you want to come, you must RSVP to me—info@jenniferalfano.com. Then, I will share the address. I hope some of you can make it!!

Let’s get into some beauty, because there are certain products that are always in rotation, but I’ve also added new ones I think are worth sharing.

This photo, above, of Malgosia Bela in a recent issue of Harper’s Bazaar, is my summer beauty goal—slightly sun-kissed skin, a hint of shimmer….

Skincare

If I am going for a run, it’s sunscreen first—this one from Isdin. It’s lightweight, feels like nothing on and works. I have also gotten into massaging Filament’s Hair Masque through my ponytail if I am going to wash my hair after, because summer is hard on my hair. It makes it sooo soft. (Speaking of hair, I have been meaning to get on the Nutrafol supplement band wagon—can your hair ever be too thick and healthy, and am starting these.) Post run, I hop in the shower and wash my face with MBR Enzyme Cleansing Booster, which is expensive but the only thing that keeps my pores clean. If I’m staying inside or going to Pilates, it’s a quick swipe of P50 to keep sun spots at bay and my slightly oily skin under control.

A new trio of products I wanted to try (and lucky me received) are by Mimetiqué, a brand that positions itself as French drugstore beauty. Every morning for the last week, post cleanse, I have been using the Smoothing Face Serum, followed by the Nourishing Face Cream and Eye Cream (you can use it on your lids as well, which I love). You can buy all three in a bundle. I quite like these. My skin is well hydrated but not at all greasy or sticky. Plus they are a great size for traveling. Once I saw Violet Grey was also carrying them, I got the confirmation bias I needed. They are coming with me to Charleston this weekend.

At night it’s a cleanse with all-time favorite Vintner’s Daughter Active Renewal Cleanser, which they have re-formulated to make it even better. I love love love the smell. It’s also my winter morning cleanser. And I will never get tired of using Vintner’s Active Botanical Serum. It is has been a skincare constant for me for years and I use it religiously. Nothing is better after a day in the elements than letting a your skin soak in several drops. It’s my desert island skincare product.

Makeup

Super minimalist in this area, as always. First, I wanted a bronze-y lipstick like the one Malgosia has on above and realized I had it, Hermes Yachting Brun, which they sadly don’t make anymore. Luckily I have a lot left. What is a close second? This Chanel and this new lip liner color, Faun, from Fara Homidi (I use Doux a lot with a simple gloss). For those who can’t commit to lipstick re-application (moi), the pencil/gloss combo lasts the longest.

For a bronzed look, I am dabbing Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Creme in Parfait 2 on my cheekbones and eye lids. At night, I am either adding Thrive’s Anise eye brightener, or, hear my out, MAC Gel Pencil in Perpetual Shock which is a vivid blue. For summer I think a thin swipe at the lash line could be fun. Why not mix it up a bit?!

And finally a scent, I used to love either Jil Sander Sun or the classic Clarin’s Eau Dynamisante for summer, but now I find these kinds of scents too overpowering and synthetic alcohol-y. I want something complex yet subtle.

Perfumehead, a boutique brand from Los Angeles (carried at Violet Grey, Just One Eye, Bergdorfs, etc.), gifted me their Icons collection minis eons ago, but I put off trying them out. I love fragrance, but am picky—so many are always a bit off. It becomes a chore to find something I like, so I usually give up and stick with what I have. But I finally (!) tried Perfumehead and can’t choose a favorite. It’s between Room NO., Alone Together and Moon Flower. Maybe I can layer two?

Of course my all-time favorite Summer scent remains Bain de Soleil.

x

Jennifer

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