EVERYTHING BUT THE BATHROOM SINK No.2

If it seems like I’m screaming, it’s because I am.

I haven’t posted one of these since March, which means I have two whole months of cooped up beauty secrets, begging to be screamed from the rooftops.

Plus, the Sephora sale happened.

Incase you’re new here, welcome to the second part of a series where I divulge everything-beauty I’m loving, leaving behind, and thinking about. Loves get top-of-the-counter silver tray treatment. Leave behinds get demoted to under-the-sink beauty graveyard. It’s cut throat, really.

Above all, this is not intended to just be a list of things for you to buy. It’s a collection of what’s bringing me everyday joy – and what’s not. Beauty isn’t an obligation. It’s something we choose to do for ourselves.

Taking care of yourself should feel like joy.

The ones I keep reaching for – and worry about running out.

Merit The Minimalist Stick

Enough already, I know. I just consistently feel good every time I wear this. It’s easy and it’s versatile and it leaves me feeling like a better version of myself. Okay.

Fara Homidi Face Compact

Previously in testing territory. I keep reaching for it when I want to kick things up a notch, but still feel entirely my-skin-but-better. I’ve also been throwing it in my bag for on-the-go touchups. The red, weighty compact continues to delight.

Erborian CC Cream

Automatically fast-tracked to tray life. It’s insane. I had every intention of using this as a concealer and immediately put it over my entire face. Blurring, glowing, moisturizing. And SPF. One of the best products I’ve tried in a very long time.

Machete Hair Clips

It’s getting hot, which means I’m getting overly stimulated by hair touching my face. Half-up-half-down in checkered opalite shell is my summer salvation.

Kerastase Absolu Insta Glaze

Okay, hold my hand. I have a track record of getting dramatic so I’m going to be very level when I say: this product has changed my life. I’ve never had shiny hair. I’ve never experienced that kind of privilege. And now that I’ve found the side entrance to Club Glossy, I’m bringing you with me. VIP access. We deserve it.

Kerastase Absolu Frizz Glaze Styling Cream

The second step of gloss indoctrination is this. I use it as pre-blowout prep. It’s not replacing Crown Affair Leave-In for me (I don’t believe anything ever will) but it is adding a bit of extra softness, shine, and heat protection. Dime-size.

Kerastase Absolu Glaze Drops

The final step of your ascension to gloss nirvana. I might venture to say the most important step. Instant, shocking shine. Not heavy or greasy. Citrusy floral scent.

Davines Oi Hair Butter

Forgot how much I loved this. Where Absolu is for shine, Davines is for nourishment. Smells like a botanical spa that doesn’t offer day passes.

Dolce Glow 2-Hour Express Tanning Mousse

I was vehemently committed to St. Tropez, but could only take so much of my husband making a stink about the stink. This has a delightful, clean floral scent, and I actually prefer the tone – a bit warmer. I leave it overnight (tread lightly) and it’s perfect for 3-4 days. If you’re fair or pink toned, proceed with caution.

Spa Headband

A barometer for how close of a relationship we have is how often you see me in my spa headband. I pretty much buy these in bulk.

Chanel Baume Essentiele

Never not wearing it. Cheekbones, upper lid, cupid’s bow. In another life, I am reincarnated as this product. If you haven’t tried it yet, this is my final warning.

Destination: Beauty Graveyard

Ilia Skin Blur Serum Concealer

This one came so highly recommended and I have approximately zero feelings about it. It was okay? Not particularly hydrating, moderate creasing, insufficient coverage for me. I’m back on my Hourglass and the hunt for the perfect concealer.

Rhode Glazing Mist

I bought this because (I want to be a Rhode girl and) I was promised it was the non-comedogenic Milk. It’s not. Worth noting, it does the shiny forehead thing.

m.ph Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation

I’m equal parts angry and shocked about this one. I admit, I bought this solely because I saw a million fabulous women buying it. So susceptible. I’m going to offend some people here and say that I actively hated this.

It sank into every pore and crease and grabbed on to the few dry patches I didn’t even realize I had. It also felt (and looked) like a visible layer on top of my face. For a serum-meets-foundation with a dewy finish, Ilia Super Serum wins for me.

My bathrobe is basically a lab coat at this point

Merit Signature Lipstick

Chanel if you’re reading this, no you’re not. I wanted that slightly blurry, matte, je ne sais quoi thing and, so far, this is delivering. Taking Archival + Andie for a spin.

Westman Atelier Sun Tone Matte Bronzing Drops

I’m speechless. And embarrassed it took me so long to try. This was one of those products where I threw away the box within minutes of opening.

Exactly how I want my face to look after using self-tan, without having to. Glowy, not sparkly. Reads legitimately sun-kissed. I’ve been layering over my foundation or mixing in with moisturizer. I don’t like my face as much without this on it?

Tarte Undereye Color Corrector

Used this years ago and re-experimenting because I’m desperate. So far, we’re creasing. We’re creasing bad.

Armani Liquid Eyeshadow

I got this as a replacement for concealer on my lids – in beige matte. I like a cream product to brighten, but needed something self-setting. So far, so perfect.

Sofie Pavitt Starter Kit

I fought the Sofie Pavitt pull for too long and decided to starter kit. Too soon to share my thoughts, but a few days in I broke out (irony?) and I can’t confirm if that was a Mandelic Acid purge or just life. Worth noting, the moisturizer has one of the prettiest finishes I’ve seen and played well with makeup. More to come.

This is awkward.

Eadem Lipgloss

This formula and applicator is, in fact, otherwordly. The only reason it’s a not quite is because fig sauce looked comical on me.

Dolce Glow Self-Tanning Face Mist

I wanted to avoid putting the mousse on my face and this delivers a beautiful, subtle tan and glow. Only a not quite because it now feels moot next to the Westman bronzing drops. Just depends on which format you prefer.

Thinking about it.

Fara Homidi Lip Pencil

It feels criminal that I’ve only tried her face compact at this point.

Victoria Beckham Color Wash Water Tint

I clearly am not in need of another tanning product but this is intriguing me.

Back to natural

Summer is around the corner, which means my annual ceasefire with my hair – curls out, flat iron down. Is there anything better and more terrifying than radical acceptance of yourself?

Crown Affair Radiance Oil

You know how I feel about Crown Affair. You know how I feel about shiny hair.

Biodance Collagen Eye Patches

I’m still a bit in shock by the Biodance collagen mask I tried last month (blinding forehead goals) and have been simultaneously wondering if there is such a thing as an eyepatch that actually works. An eyepatch, perhaps, from Biodance?

What are you loving – or leaving behind? Have you tried anything new?

I’d love to know what beauty things are bringing you joy – or not – lately.

Editorial note: Nothing in this post is sponsored or gifted. In an effort to avoid turning on paid, I’m starting to incorporate ShopMy links. Turns out, these posts have become an expensive habit. If you shop one of my links, know that you are directly enabling me.