Tag Archives: essentials

ESSENTIALS: EVERYDAY MAKEUP

November 10, 2014

Filed Under : BEAUTY

makeup essentials / the style eater

makeup essentials / the style eater

For as many beauty products as I hoard (like an entire hall linen closet, I’m not proud), you’d think I’d be using all sorts of different makeup everyday, but in reality, I stick to only a few essentials. I don’t wear a lot of makeup in general (but again, still pretty hoardy about it) and I tend to prefer a natural look for everyday wear. I’ve found a select few products that help me achieve this look and here they are:

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, Olio E Sasso Lip Balm, Laura Mercier Eye Pencil, RMS Living Luminizer, Tarte Cheek Stain, Chanel Inimitable Mascara

Before I delve into each product, don’t forget to check out all of my other life essentials here, including the last one I did about the best lotion ever IMO.

And now onto some serious rambling about these products:

laura mercier secret camouflage

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-1 // I’ve had this concealer for years but only learned how to use it properly last September, thanks to a very good makeup artist. That peach color goes over my dark age spots and the lighter color brightens all the shadowed places on my face, like the inside corners of my eye, the cupid’s bow, around the nose, and anywhere else that’s feeling particularly sullen.

olio e sasso

Olio E Sasso Lip Balm in #3 Crimson // This balm only looks dark. In reality, it goes on super sheer, with just a hint of berry to it. The balm itself feels so amazing and keeps my lips hydrated. The little bit of color is just an added bonus. I switch off with this Dior balm all the time.

laura mercier eyeliner

Laura Mercier Longwear Eye Pencil in Slate // I don’t wear a ton of eyeliner, only a smudge on the top, usually on the lash line. But even so, I’ve tried every eyeliner in the book and none stay on my eyes like this one. I never have to worry about it moving or smearing over time. THANK G.

rms illuminizer

RMS Beauty Living Luminizer // This product is a secret of the pros. Multiple makeup artists that I know swear by it. It acts as an illuminator, brightening and making everything look happier and more jolly. I use this on the inside corner of my eyes (along with the Secret Camouflage for an extra juj), a little on my eyelids, in a C-shape from my temple to my upper cheek bone (under the eye), and anywhere else that needs a little brightening on any given day. This is the STUFF man. If I could endorse any candidate on this roster, it would be this one.

tarte cheek stain

Tarte Cheek Stain in Natural Beauty // To go along with my theme of looking as natural as possible, I stick to this cheek blush, which is a sheer berry rose color. It makes your cheeks look just slightly flush, in the most natural way possible. Plus, I tend to prefer a cream blush over a powder for that general dewy look.

chanel mascara

Chanel Inimitable Mascara //  Mascara is the only product that I’m never married to. I love Chanel mascara, but I also equally love the Buxom Lash Mascara. I switch it up all the time depending on what I have in the back stock. I was also using Benefit They’re Real for a long time and while it looks good, it would weigh down my lashes too much. The Chanel is much lighter and more natural looking, but still packs a punch.

ESSENTIALS: KIEHL’S CREME DE CORPS

August 18, 2014

Filed Under : BEAUTY

kiehls creme de corps

This essential is a no-brainer for me. I’ve been using Kiehl’s Creme De Corps lotion for about 10 years now and I have no plans of swapping it any time soon. In fact, I stock UP on this stuff. I’m talking Costco-sized bottles every time Nordstrom has their Anniversary Sale (aka the best time to buy Kiehl’s IMO). I also make sure I have a few travel bottles on hand for when I go anywhere.

Every morning I lather the heck up. The best part about it? It doesn’t sting my legs after I shave!! That is so key, am I right? The consistency is super thick and slightly greasy, but it soaks in almost immediately and leaves my skin feeling 100% hydrated. At this point, I can’t live without it. Mom, thanks for putting it in my Christmas stocking every year or else I’d probably be broke from buying too many bottles.

I get it here and here.

More essentials: French things, candle, ankle boots, intuitive lip balm, egyptian magic

ESSENTIALS: ALL THE FRENCH THINGS

April 3, 2014

Filed Under : BEAUTY

ESSENTIALS / the style eater

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this lifetime, it’s that French women know what’s up. They’ve always got the best hairstyles, wear the coolest outfits, eat lots of croissants, drink good wine, and have really lovely, buoyant skin. What the f? Anyway, on my quest to becoming a French woman, I’ve discovered a few French beauty products that have changed my life for the better. I love them so much that they’ve become essentials (see past essentials here!). I’m serious, if Amazon stopped carrying this stuff, I’d be forced to move to France.

Details below, but first, disclaimer alert: I’m NOT a beauty expert, I just know what works for me and I like to overshare.

ESSENTIALS / the style eater

Embryolisse: This is a moisturizer that I use at night, after I’ve washed my face. I won’t get into all the details of my nightly routine right now, but holy heck, this stuff is good. It’s super lightweight, but somehow makes my skin feel totally moisturized and happy. I suffer from dry skin AND oily skin (really, universe?) and Embryolisse seems to balance everything out really evenly, thank the heavens. You can find it here, here, or here.

ESSENTIALS / the style eater

Bioderma Crealine: In it’s heart-of-hearts, Bioderma is a simple makeup remover. You soak a cotton pad and wipe all the crap off your face. BUT OMG IT’S SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT. I use it every night and it works so effortlessly. It’s also super gentle, doesn’t sting my eyes, and makes my face feel truly clean. I still wash my face afterwards with soap and water, but some people just use Bioderma to wash their face and it’s a totally OK thing to do. Also, I’ve met many makeup artists who swear by the stuff. It’s the real deal. You can find it here or here.

ESSENTIALS / the style eater

Caudalie Beauty Elixir: I’m so addicted to this stuff that I keep a backstock of at least 3, in case I need them on the fly. Literally, they’re also good flying companions. Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir is a face spray that’s part toner and part serum and it’s loaded with essential oils. Not only does it smell amazing, but it also smoothes out my skin and tightens everything up. It’s like a spritz of goodness. I always spray it on my face in the morning, usually right after I’ve washed it. But lately, I’ve been switching it up and spraying it after I’ve put my foundation on (but before powder) and it sets everything in place. What doesn’t this stuff do? Can’t live without it. You can find it here.

Also, my essential candle, shoe, lip balm, and body salve.

ESSENTIALS: UNIONMADE x BAXTER CANDLES

December 3, 2013

Filed Under : INTERIORS - MY LIFE

unionmade candle / the style eater

unionmade candle / the style eater

unionmade candle / the style eater

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted one of my essentials, but since I spend a good portion of my income on candles, I thought it only made sense to share my essential one: Unionmade and Baxter of California’s KML candle. It’s a mouthful, but I promise it smells like perfection. Well I guess that depends on how you define perfection, but for me, a campfire in the middle of the forest is what I’d prefer (not ACTUALLY, just in candle-form). This Unionmade x Baxter candle smells exactly like that.

Don’t forget I’m terrible at describing scents, but it’s a blend of Cedar and Sandalwood, with a layer of musk that really hits you after a few minutes of burning it. It’s not super strong but it definitely makes my whole place smell good. I often pair it with my favorite incense, which adds another layer of campfire, and then you’re outside under the stars surrounded by the woods IS WHAT IT’S LIKE.

Anyway, I personally like the 3-wick version because we go through them so quickly, but they’ve recently come out with this ceramic one that’s making my life a whole lot better, etc. Lucky for us, there’s a Unionmade store just minutes from our apartment in Brentwood and we are literally there every few months stocking up. Want me to pick one up for you? Can’t live without.

See past essentials herehere, and here!

ESSENTIALS: ANKLE BOOTS

April 2, 2013

Filed Under : STYLE

I would not consider myself a shoe person.  I don’t like shopping for them, I don’t like wearing colorful or bright ones, and you won’t see me wearing pointy heels unless I absolutely have to.  When I think about how I want to spend my money, it’s usually on things like Martha Stewart iphone apps and polka dot shirts, not shoes.  But I’d be lying straight to your face if I said I didn’t dabble in ankle boots every so often.

Pretty much the only shoes I wear are boots of the ankle variety.  I just love them.  They speak to me.  They say “Janelle, we GET YOU. We understand you. Let’s be together forever.”  I mean, I can’t really say no to that.  Laced, Chelsea, motorcycle, heeled, faux Isabel Marants, you name em, I love em.  But my love for shoes starts and stops there.  I don’t care about any other kind, really.

So with that, my essential shoe is 100% the ankle boot.  Thanks for completing my life.  See examples of ankle bootage here, here, here, and here.

From left to right: Steven Pembrook Bootie (old), Madewell Biker Boot, Jeffrey Campbell East Village Bootie (old), Madewell Laced Boots (old), ASOS Adelaide BootMadewell Billie Boot

See more essentials here!