Hi! I hope your Saturday is sunny or cozy or at least maybe waffle-y. Tell me what you’re getting up to in the comments.
Last weekend, from the fog of a family Flu-B, we watched The Family Stone. I hit play as soon as I heard the awful news of Diane Keaton’s passing. The movie was wonderful— even as one of Keaton’s less iconic films— and it felt cathartic. We also watched the 2013 Baz Luhrmann version of The Great Gatsby, which was much better than I recalled. Continuing on with a ‘classics’ theme, we started Casablanca. It was sobering to think about how far films have fallen. I know there are a million theories as to what’s going on in Hollywood— and I am grateful that TV is currently excellent. But man, movies. They definitely don’t make them like they used to.
This Glossary post is all about the beauty updates that I’ve found very worthwhile lately. Note about me: I was a Sephora tween before there was Sephora. By twelve or thirteen I was spending all of my allowance at the Walgreens at Oakland Park Boulevard & A1A (beach drugstores have better stuff; nobody knows why). I read in one of the first-ever issues of Allure that makeup artists often mixed various balms with powder blushes and lipsticks to create their own shades, so I would set to work with a jar of Carmex, Revlon lipsticks and old shimmery blush palates of my mom’s. I was probably a founding mother of the Everything Shower (to the dismay of my parents’ water bill), just not clever enough to brand it.
Anyway, I’M STILL LIKE THIS, just with a little less time and patience to spare. I’m still wildly brand disloyal, always up for trying something new. My “aesthetic” (as the kids say) has evolved from scrunched hair and navy eyeliner to just wanting to look like I drink a lot of water and get good sleep, but—and this is very important—I still want products that feel luxurious, glamorous, and maybe even a little magical.
TL;DR: I LOVE THIS EYELINER. I’m not being dramatic when I say it’s probably the best new makeup product I’ve bought in years. If you’re light to medium skinned and like your eyes to look pretty and defined but not harsh, and you want it to actually last all day, get this eyeliner in the shade Everyday Taupe. I suspect darker skin tones would look amazing in Rich Cocoa.
Sarah Creal, who pictured here looking gorgeous in all black, didn’t start out as a makeup artist. She came up as a product developer, marketer, founder, and now CEO of Sarah Creal Beauty. I first discovered her when she appeared on a few podcasts with Victoria Beckham. She co-founded Victoria Beckham Beauty, and the way she talks about the smallest product details is so inspiring. I loved this conversation with . They both go on about the magic of Kajal eyeliner, so when Creal launched her own, I was curious. How different could it really be?
Well considerably, Creal’s Kajal line is a tight, thoughtful edit of six neutral shades: three matte and three shimmer. It fits perfectly with the brand’s mission: cool, aspirational beauty for women over forty. This liner delivers exactly what I’m always after, which is makeup that looks natural (but better) and stays put. Everyday Taupe is a light brown that’s subtle but defining. You can get right into your lash line or flick out a soft cat eye, and it just looks pretty. Once it sets, it stays until you take it off with remover. Kajal formulas are different from standard liners, and this one lasts in a way most light shades could never.
She also recommends the shimmer Kajal, which I bought and liked but could ultimately live without, and a darker Kajal along the upper rim to make lashes look thicker. I like that look, just not every day. Watch this tutorial to learn exactly how she does it.
Of all the good jewelry I would (sadly) never invest in, diamond earrings are #1 on my list. I’ve broken my own heart too many times to the tune of “hey, did you know that you’re only wearing one earring?” or returned home from vacation with my favorite trinkets nowhere to be found. It’s the worst. I’m the worst. But! I’m constantly on the lookout for inexpensive fake diamond studs with settings and sizes that look believable. I got these in the 1.5 carat size, and I’d say they’re pretty good! I’m including them in a beauty roundup because I think the face-framing glow from a diamond stud or good pearls is just as powerful as any cosmetic.
My mom, grandmother and aunt always had this and I never totally understood it until I got older and realized that keeping it next to your bed makes you feel like a complete diva. I put it on my cuticles, which means I can then no longer use my phone, and I read a book until I fall asleep— exactly as I’d imagine Grace Kelly or Gretta Garbo might have.
This is as much shimmer as you can possibly get without devolving into glitter. It’s so pigmented and pretty but not over the top. A little goes a long way, and I don’t get involved with it until this time of year. I have the taupe-y shade “diamond dog” (lol) and it’s beautiful on its own AND it’s really pretty layered on top. of a matte shade.
I 100% bought this because I liked the looks of the bottle, and I will continue repurchasing it forever because it’s just the loveliest thing! I was pouring a bit on a cotton pad (like a toner), but I think you’re actually supposed to shake a few drops into your hand and press onto your skin. Either way this delivers the right amount of moisture for me during the day, either under makeup or on its own. If I use a full-strength moisturizer, I will look greasy and if I don’t use anything, my face will feel uncomfortably dry. Plus this just feels glamorous in an understated earthy way and the scent is subtle and lovely. When I use this regularly, it becomes a sort of “rose” gateway drug and I start drinking rose tea (I pick up one of these when I shop at Whole Foods) seeking out rose scents and browsing shippable rose bushes that will thrive in Zone 11.
A High Ponytail
My hair is nowhere near this long, but I am practicing this tutorial by Julia Amory for the day that it is (or at least a little longer).
Online reviews are notably mixed, but I love this cleanser. I’ve been using the same tube for nearly a year, and my skin really likes it? At $30 it’s a very good price considering how long it’s lasted. I am also a Clean Skin Club fanatic (I recently upgraded to the XL versions AND the damn acrylic box). This combo plus the rose serum (above) have been very good to me.
Westman Atelier Bronzing Drops
I held out on this product for a while because it’s expensive ($58) and I often wind up not liking the way that bronzer looks on me (too orange). These are really, really good. You need a TINY bit. So much less than you think. The effect is subtle, and the formula sinks in like you are wearing absolutely nothing. I just notice that I just look a little glowier for the rest of the day. I’m wearing the medium tan shade, below.
Other things that seem to move the needle (without any actual needles):
I was deficient in Vitamin D during my last physical. Supplementing appears to be helping my sleep, which definitely helps my skin tone and overall “rested” appearance. Obviously being deficient in something is worth correcting for overall health. But if I look better too, well… :-)
Cutting off my phone use at 8pm and not picking it up until 7am. These days feel far less stressful.
I’m noticing that what I eat absolutely shows up on my face the next morning. Salmon, broccoli & rice: hello beautiful. Takeout & ice cream: raggedy. Alcohol? lol.
I’m going to start sharing a tight edit of twenty of the most lovely things I have my eye on each month. You can browse the first one here: October Top Twenty.
Where have all the ghosts gone? Top notch research and storytelling from the very prestigious Independent Florida Alligator.
A Lowcountry restaurant has opened in the Seventh Arrondissement in Paris with classic Southern offerings like roasted oysters, macaroni and cheese, chess pie. Is it going to be more Paris Disneyland or more Mary Cassatt? I suspect the latter.
39 of the coolest neighborhoods in the world.
The case for red ballet flats (I live in mine)
I personally love the way my hair looks when I can maximize volume at the crown, so I will be taking all of these tips to heart: Velcro roller tips from Southern Grandmas.
Speaking of which: five foods that may prevent gray hair.
The definitive how-to on roasting pumpkin seeds
Toxic positivity and breast cancer is a powerful read for anyone navigating cancer right now— either themselves or loved ones.
Secret getaways of fashion insiders.
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The moon dust eye shadow looks soooo dreamy! Also thank you for reminding me to take Vitamin D
Diamonds truly are a girls best friend— and so is Jennifer Kleeeeeee!