the edit: fall beauty 2020

Kissing summer beauty good bye like…

One of my most laughable purchases of 2020 was a lipstick. In April. During a pandemic. When masks are required. But on second thought, is it really that funny? Haven’t we learned (if nothing else) that showing up for ourselves (or on Stories) and feeling our best is the most basic key to survival when the whole world seems to be on fire? That’s certainly been my biggest takeaway and so along with slowing down, I feel no shame in throwing myself into a search for any and everything that perpetuates this “look-good-feel-good-and-do-good” way of living.

We’ve entered a new month but it still feels like Groundhog Day. I’ve almost come to look forward to the tiny notification on my laptop of the release of my state’s COVID statistics because it means we’ve collectively made it through another day. Wolf Blitzer, Erin Burnett and Anderson Cooper (et al) feel like good friends. (Fancy seeing you here, in my living room, again, Andrew Cuomo...) But despite the monotony that has been COVID spring, COVID summer and what will ultimately be COVID fall, it’s time to spice things up (And I don’t just mean your latte…) and Sephora has alllll the goods. My holy grail items are in bold.

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LIP STAIN

As we’ve now learned, there’s nothing more annoying than wearing lip color that just ends up on the inside of your mask. (Or worse, gets delicately rubbed all over your face.) Which is why, for the most part, I’m on the lip stain train. Easy to apply at home or in the car, dries pretty quickly and is good to go when I practice my newest move inspired by Cobra Kai: “Mask on, mask off.”

My picks:

Bite Beauty Outburst Longwear Lip Stain Sangria Slush ($24), Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek and Lip Stain ($30), Yves Saint Laurent Water Stain Lip Stain ($38)

MOISTURIZER

Between the sun and the “maskne” and the attempts to counter both of these things by ultimately overdoing it, my WFH days are spent with creamy solutions promising restoration and repair. Since I’m clearly not getting a facial anytime soon (wah!), it’s important for me to do my best with what I’ve got. And that’s a few “go to” hydrators that do not disappoint.

My picks:

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb Deco ($21), Marc Jacobs Beauty Youthquake Hydra-full Retexturizing Cream Gel Créme Moisturizer ($59), Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi Action and Forming Moisturizer ($102)

CC CREAM

Even on days when I’m not going anywhere, a little product makes me feel like I have somewhere important to be which makes my commute from bed to kitchen to home office feel that much more purposeful and purpose-filled. CC Cream is one of those products that is a good buy whether you’re a make-up pro or not. For the new kids, CC stands for “color correcting” which makes this a better buy than BB cream (IMHO) since BB can end up just being a lighter foundation if not chosen carefully. And for someone who does a lot of work on camera (Zoom counts!), I like to be on my AA game (I just made that up, if you couldn’t tell) at all times.

My picks:

Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm ($39), Erborian CC Color-Correcting & Redness Reducing Broad Spectrum SPF ($44), Armani Beauty Prima Color Control Glow Moisturizer ($55)

BROW PENCIL

It’s probably pretty obvious that your eyes are having a moment right now because aside from the bridge of your nose, cheekbones and forehead, it’s all most people can even see unless you’re on screen. For this reason, brows (and basically anything eye-related) are the real investment at a time like this and I consider eyebrows to be the picture frame of the face. (Have you ever tried a Snapchat filter that removes your eyebrows? After you screamed, then laughed, you know what I mean.) Give your brows the attention they deserve and learn how to do them well.

My picks:

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Brow Harmony Pencil & Gel ($22), Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil ($23), Gucci Crayon Définition Sourcilis ($32)

MASCARA

My personal weakness is a good set of lashes. I’ve been known to be a ruthless mascara tester, am a big (HUGE) fan of lash lifts and have more than a few pairs of magnetic lashes for when the moment is right. (See also: Always.) There isn’t a lot to say here that hasn’t also already said about the importance of brows but it bears repeating that your eyes are the focus of everyone else right now so, just for fun (because why else do anything?) make them yours too.

My picks:

Marc Jacobs Beauty At Lash’d and Curling Mascara ($27), Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Lashes ($28), Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push-up Lashes Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara ($29)