My Favorite Beauty Buys

Bows & Sequins' Favorite Beauty Products

While I love to experiment with new products, I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to my beauty routine. Most of the products I currently use have been in my medicine cabinet and in my makeup bag for months, if not years! If it’s not broke… You know? It’s been a little while since I’ve posted about beauty and skincare, so I figured I would share a master list of all of my tried and true beauty favorites in one spot. Everything from fragrance to hair products are on the list! Here it goes…

Fragrance

One of my favorite things to collect when I’m traveling are fragrances… They’re the tiniest reminder of your trip in an unexpected way! Right now, I’m alternating between a scent from Paris and a scent I picked up in London. Unfortunately neither of them are available online in the US, but these are a few mainstays that I always have on my vanity…

Diptyque Eau Rose  |  See by Chloe  |  Chloe Original  |  Chloe ‘Roses’  |  Elizabeth & James Nirvana White  |  Chloe ‘Love Story’  |  Atelier Cologne ‘Rose Anonyme’

Face Masks

I did a whole post here, but I’m absolutely obsessed with face masks. They’re instant gratification for your skin! I try to do one 2-3 times a week, depending on what my skin is showing. These are a few of my favorites…

Caudalie Moisture Mask  |  Caudalie Purifying Mask  |  Fresh Honey Mask  |  Farmacy Sheet Masks  |  Origins Charcoal Mask

Cleansers & Toners

For as much as I wash my face (AM, PM, after workouts, etc), I have to use a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin that doesn’t strip away all of my moisture. I’m currently using this one from Kiehl’s and I love it! This one from Eucerin (drugstore buy!) is also a tried and true favorite. If I’m feeling a breakout coming on and sometimes after a really sweaty workout, I’ll use this cleanser instead. Here are a few others I’ve tried over the years and have like a lot…

I’m currently using this Kiehl’s toner and this essence at home and this one when I travel (simply due to bottle size). I have quite a few of them at home though and will sometimes switch it up based on what my skin needs on any given day!

Eye Cream

Eye cream has always been one of my holy grail products! Your eye area tells so much about your age, sleep patterns, stress, mood, etc. (They’re the windows to the soul, after all! 😂) I try to keep my undereye area thoroughly hydrated at all times! This eye cream has long been a favorite (remember this post?!) and this one is currently a favorite for both AM & PM. I used this one all spring and summer and loved it, too. (Full review here!) This one is another favorite I’ve used throughout the years. I love these undereye masks when I need a little pick me up, too!

Moisturizers & Serums

This Estee Lauder Moisturizer has been my go-to daytime moisturizer for YEARS! I religiously use this detox oil at night. I also use this one from Sunday Riley a few times a week for the anti-aging properties! These Elizabeth Arden capsules are another nighttime favorite that I’ll layer under a heavier moisturizer. This Bare Minerals moisturizer is a must-have in the dead of winter, for both daytime and nighttime. I love this light moisturizer before I’m headed to the gym to sweat it out. I’ve recently been laying this Vitamin C concentrate underneath my moisturizer in the AM & PM to fight lines. This Kiehl’s cream is another everyday moisturizer that I love! I got this moisturizer from Rodial in the spring and finished it over the course of the summer… I loved how it was so hydrating and truly plumps up your skin. A few others I’ve used and loved over the years…

Natural Makeup Look with a Smoky Eye and Soft Pink Lips

Cosmetics

Here’s a little rundown on the makeup products that I use every single day… 

Primer: I rotate between Hourglass Mineral Veil, Jouer Anti-Blemish Primer, and the Smashbox Oil-Free Primer. Lately, I’ve been using this in between my moisturizer and my primer, too.

Concealer and Foundation: I use Bare Minerals Stroke of Light under my eyes for dark circles and Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Foundation (with this brush) on my face. I set my undereye area with Laura Mercier Brightening Powder (with this brush) and my face with Laura Mercier Translucent Powder (with this puff pad).

Bronzer & Blush: I only ever use a matte bronzer and this one from from Bobbi Brown is the one I’m currently wearing daily! (I use this brush with it.) I’ve used this blush combo for years… This Stila cream blush in Petunia (just the tiniest bit dabbed on my cheeks with my ring finger) with a swipe of this NARS powder blush in Orgasm (with this brush) over the top!

Eyes: I’m pretty boring when it comes to my eyeshadows, I wear the same few colors day in and day out. My everyday color is this Cargo Cosmetics eyeshadow in St. Tropez. I then use this palette or this palette anytime I want to create more of a smoky eye for evenings. (I use this one or this one when traveling!) I also have this eyeshadow in a few different shades that I play with from time to time. This is the Benefit mascara I swear by (sometimes layered with this for a night out!) and this is my favorite $12 waterproof eyeliner.

Eyebrows: You can get the full rundown on my eyebrow regimen here! I use this Anastasia pomade (in blonde) with this brush and this brow gel.

Oh, and I take everything off with this makeup remover (these cloths when I’m traveling and not checking a bag) and these wipes!

Estee Lauder Lipstick with Navy Blue and Gold Monogrammed Clutch

Lipsticks

This one deserves it’s own category! Here are a few of my favorite lipsticks…

Dolce & Gabbana ‘Red’  |  NARS Audacious ‘Anna’  |  NARS Audacious ‘Anita’  |  Urban Decay Vice Satin ‘Naked’  |  Stila ‘Beso’  |  Lancome Rouge in Love ‘Midnight Rose’  |  Lancome Matte Lip Crayon in ‘Oui Monsieur’  |  Lancome Matte Lip Crayon in ‘Contain Yourself’

How to Curl Your Hair Using a Curling Wand + The Top Products to Make Your Curls Last All Day Long

Hair

I’m currently using world’s crappiest blowdryer at our AirBNB in Tokyo and it’s making me long for my blowdryer at home… It’s the best! Wishing I had this mini version of it for travel… Adding it to my wish list this season!

I get so many questions about my curls… This is my go-to curling wand… I only use the bigger barrel though. So you could just purchase this one! I don’t straighten my hair often, but when I do I use this GHD Flatiron.

A few products that I swear by…

Texture Spray // I spray this all over my hair before I curl it, especially after a wash. My curls definitely don’t last as long if I don’t use a texture spray beforehand. It helps to give your hair a little grip when it’s super soft and not that dirty. I love the smell of Oribe’s version and I’ve been using this Oscar Blandi spray for years!

Glossing Creme // If I’m using hair spray, or even if I’m not, I always finish my hair styling with a tiny dollop of this glossing creme on the ends to keep them shiny and soft!

Hair Spray // I’m not particularly picky when it comes to hairspray… I like something with a light-medium hold that isn’t sticky at all! This Tresemme drugstore buy, this R+Co spray, and this Oribe spray are probably my favorites.

Dry Shampoo // My favorite way to extend the life of my wash is to put this dry shampoo powder in at night before I go to bed. (Sprinkle a little bit in your hands, rub your hands together (over the sink), and then massage your scalp/roots, just as if you were sudsing up your hair with regular shampoo. Repeat quite a few times!) It soaks everything up overnight and you wake up with hair that doesn’t look like it needs to be washed! If I need a little extra volume, I spray in dry shampoo spray at the roots in the morning to perk up my strands. I currently have this spray, this spray, and this spray and I love them all!

Shampoo & Conditioner // I use Oribe Bright Blonde about once a week to keep any brassy tones at bay. I also keep Oribe Gold Lust in the shower and use it once every few weeks when I need an extra dose of shine, it’s such a little luxury. My favorite everyday shampoos and conditioners are the Arrojo Color Save and Unite 7 Seconds.

Styling Cream // I always use a leave-in conditioner when I get out of the shower (this one or this one) before I comb through my wet hair. I don’t always use a styling cream, but if I’m giving myself a little blowout at home, I’ll use this one or this one.

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8 Comments

  1. 11.12.16
    Caroline said:

    I need to be better about using eye cream! Thanks for sharing.
    x0x0 Caroline http://thecarolove.com/

  2. 11.12.16
    Tonya said:

    Such a great post! So many amazing products!!

    http://www.themoptop.com

  3. 11.13.16
    Pallavi said:

    Everything you mentioned sounds amazing. I want to get more into serums x

    http://www.wildfirecharm.com

  4. 11.14.16
    Janina said:

    I took such great advantage of my vib rouge discount this year! Its been my biggesst sephora purchase ever! But it was worth it because I just stocked up on products I use daily and ones that I repurchase all the time 🙂
    XO Janina
    http://janinafran.blogspot.ca

  5. 11.14.16

    See by Chloe is one of my favourite fragrances!

    Abigail Alice x

  6. 11.14.16
    Amanda said:

    I am such a HUGE fan of Caudalie! I don’t know why I haven’t tried their mask yet. Definitely getting that baby!

    xo, Amanda
    http://www.aglamlifestyle.com

  7. 11.15.16
    Kristin said:

    Love this post! It is always great to read about tried and true beauty products!

    Kristin

    http://www.tweedandlace.com

  8. 11.22.16
    Lauren said:

    Would LOVE to know where your cosmetics bag up top (monogrammed, red) is from to?!? Great list!