Welcome to Beauty Notes, my new ongoing series featuring the beauty products that have earned a place in my current rotation. I’ll be sharing everything from skincare and makeup to haircare, body care, and beauty tools in these posts, starting with my current skincare MVPs in this first volume.
The beauty world moves fast, and one of the perks of this job is getting to discover and test a myriad of new products. But these are the ones I continue reaching for long after the excitement of a new launch and the initial testing period have faded. Every item featured here has been part of my routine for at least a month (and usually much longer), giving me plenty of time to decide whether it’s truly earned a place on my bathroom counter, and whether it’s something I genuinely feel confident recommending to you.
If I wouldn’t happily repurchase it, it doesn’t make the list.
Now, let’s dive in.
My everyday reset. This is the cleanser I reach for when I want my skin to feel genuinely clean without compromising my skin barrier. It effortlessly removes every trace of makeup, sunscreen, and the day in one step, yet somehow leaves my skin feeling soft, hydrated, and calm. As someone who gravitates toward fragrance-free, vegan formulas whenever possible, this has earned a permanent place in my skincare routine. Shop it here.
The glow prep. This is one of those products that quietly keeps my skin looking its best. The gentle lactic acid provides just enough exfoliation to smooth, brighten, and even out my complexion without ever leaving my skin feeling stripped or irritated. (Great for sensitive skin!)It leaves my skin feeling fresh, balanced, and perfectly prepped for everything that follows. It’s packed with naturally derived botanical ingredients and is completely fragrance free and vegan. It gives that healthy, post-facial glow. Shop it HERE.
The morning pick-me-up. I love testing eye masks, and these were an instant standout. I noticed a visible difference the very first time I used them before a shoot, and they’ve been in my regular rotation ever since. Whenever I wake up looking a little tired (hello, summer with the kids home!), or prepping a shoot, these are the first thing I reach for. They help my under-eyes look brighter, smoother, and far more awake. They are a little thicker than other eye masks, with a cooling hydrogel that makes them also stay in place (hate when eye masks do that slow-mo slide down your face) Shop them HERE.
Worth the splurge. This is definitely one of the pricier products in my routine, but it’s also one of the few that I genuinely feel is worth the investment. I rarely wear concealer, so I’m always looking for products that help my under-eyes look naturally brighter and more refreshed instead of simply covering them up. This serum has become one of my favorites for exactly that reason. I also love the cooling metal applicator. It feels like a mini eye massage every time I use it and instantly helps wake up tired eyes while applying the serum. (Pro tip – keep it in your fridge, for an extra metal eye roller chill boost) It’s one of those thoughtful little details that turns an everyday skincare step into a ritual I genuinely look forward to. Shop it HERE.
The multitasker I can’t live without. Technically, this belongs in a makeup edition, but I love it so much that it earned a spot here too. If there’s one product I never skip, it’s sunscreen, and I love that this one does double duty, so I don’t have to layer foundation on top. It gives lightweight, natural looking coverage while delivering SPF 45. As someone with pigmentation-prone skin, mineral sunscreen is a non-negotiable for me. I love knowing it’s creating a physical barrier while evening out my complexion at the same time. The finish is so breathable that it feels more like great skincare than traditional foundation. After trying out a ton of tinted SPFs and foundations with SPF added, I’ve stopped at this and have reordered it four times now. Shop it HERE.
The ritual I never rush. Where do I even start with how much I love Vintner’s Daughter? I first tried the Active Botanical Serum and was an instant believer. It does wonders for my drier skin, giving it a healthy, natural glow over time. More than anything, though, it leaves my skin feeling deeply nourished – not just hydrated. Every time I dispense a few drops and press it into my skin, it feels like a little gift. Shop it HERE.
I added the Active Treatment Essence to my routine about a month ago, and wow… this duo together is magic. After cleansing, I mist the essence over my face and neck, gently press it into my skin for about 30 seconds, and then follow with the serum. Together, they leave my skin looking brighter, calmer, more radiant, and incredibly healthy. It genuinely feels like giving myself a luxurious facial in under five minutes. Shop it HERE.
The finishing touch. I think of this as the cozy cashmere sweater of my skincare routine. After layering my essence and serum, this rich cream seals everything in while giving my skin the extra hydration, firmness, and bounce. I’ve been especially impressed with Lancôme’s collagen supporting technology (the threading effect) here. Despite being a richer cream, it melts beautifully into the skin without ever feeling at all heavy. Love this as the final step that brings everything together, locking in moisture overnight and leaving my skin feeling deeply nourished by morning. One additional note: I usually avoid fragranced skincare, but this is the rare exception. The scent is so soft and subtle that it never feels overpowering. It’s simply beautiful, and honestly makes me look forward to applying it every evening. Shop it HERE.
The one that actually convinced me. I’ve tried quite a few neck and décolleté products over the years, and to be honest, most haven’t wowed me enough to stick around. This one did. I’ve seen a noticeable improvement in the texture and firmness of my skin, and it’s become one of those products I instinctively reach for every morning and evening. It’s lightweight, layers beautifully with the rest of my routine, and has earned a permanent spot on my bathroom counter. If you’re only going to invest in one product for your neck and décolleté, this would absolutely be my recommendation. Shop it HERE.
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A note from my vanity… Every product featured in Beauty Notes has earned its place through weeks (and more often months) of real use. If I wouldn’t immediately repurchase it when I ran out, you won’t find it here.
