A Well Loved Edit For October
Nothing derails a blog schedule quite like an unplanned root canal. Add a busy month on top, and here we are, a few days into November with my Well-Loved Edit for October. Late or not, I still wanted to share it. These are the pieces and products I reached for and loved most last month.
1 – Anastasia Volume Tinted Brow Gel. Anastasia is the queen of eyebrow products. I’ve used her pencils and powders for years, and I appreciate that she understands pale taupe doesn’t need to be warm. As my brow hairs drift into cat-whisker territory, I need a gel that colors and holds without looking like the current laminated trend. I want brows that frame my eyes, not steal the show. I’ve tried quite a few lately, and all month I’ve been using this Anastasia gel. The Taupe shade hits just the right soft tone, with no risk of the Groucho Marx effect.
2 – Ilia Super Serum Tint. This has been a forever product in my routine for years. Lots of women like to warm up their complexion with bronzer and contour. I’ve always gone the other way: I brighten and accept that I’m pale. I wore Balos ST3 for four years, but last month I sampled Rendezvous ST1 in the store, and the paler shade is even better on me. Many of you have been buying it too, so the brand gave me a code for 15% off…AWSL15. I also just picked up their Soft Finishing Powder, which is new to me. So far I like it, and I’ll report back after a few weeks.
3 – Plum Beauty Oil Reserve. I bought Le Prunier plum oil last summer, and I’m now quite smitten with it. The smell is out of this world, soft and almondy like marzipan. They make two versions, and I was curious, so I bought a small bottle of the non-Reserve. Once you’ve tried the Reserve, the other one isn’t as nice, and for $20 more, I’ll take the Reserve.
It turns out that plum oil is mostly oleic acid, the same kind of fat in marula and argan, which explains why my skin feels so soft after I use it. What surprised me is how fast it sinks in. I’ve tried plenty of oils that sat on top of my skin and left me looking like a glazed donut, and this isn’t one of them. A few drops over my moisturizer, and I’m done.
4 – Evolve Hydrating Hand Cream. My hands seem drier than usual these days, so I always have a small tube of hand cream in my purse or my tote. I own this one in several scents, and they’re all soft, so I can put it on in a restaurant or a hospital waiting room without worrying that I’m bothering the people around me. I also like the clean ingredients, and the tube is small enough for even my smaller purses. Use my code…AWSL15 for 15% off.
5 – Frank & Eileen. I seemed to live in Frank & Eileen last month, and this month is looking similar. My friend snapped this photo of me earlier this week before the latest root canal. The weather has cooled off, and their cozy Triple Terry is the perfect weight this time of year. I shared more of my favorites here…the ones I love and the ones I’m passing on in the future. The pants I’m wearing above are current but currently sold out in this color, and the mini Belfast is no longer made in this color, but they coordinate beautifully.
*Note: I have never seen a Frank & Eileen style sell out as fast as these barrel fleece pants, so I really hope they restock.
6 – Dazzle Dry. This isn’t just an October favorite. It’s the only nail polish I’ve worn for years. My nails are soft, weak, and peel at the drop of a hat, so regular polish is a waste of time on me. I gave up gels and acrylics years ago for health reasons, and they never stayed on that well either.
Dazzle Dry is a four-step system that’s cruelty-free, non-toxic, and fast-drying, and it promises seven days of wear. I actually get them, which is more than I can say for most beauty promises. The whole system takes me about 10 minutes, and it comes off with regular polish remover. I stick to pale shades because my nails are so short, but there are plenty of colors to choose from.
That’s my October. Fingers crossed my dentist and I are done seeing each other for a while, so November’s edit can show up on time. Now I want to hear from you. What did you keep reaching for last month? I love hearing what you’re using.