All-Time Favorite Makeup & Skincare Products
Updated semi-regularly
There are a few lists that I’ve been meaning to put together for you for ages, that you can bookmark and reference, and that I can update as needed.
Like this one! A complete(ish) list of my favorite makeup and skincare favorites. All in one place.
A few notes about the recommendations below:
Except where noted, these are all items that I have used for years, so they pass the Hall of Fame test.
The links included are affiliate links, but I have purchased every single item. Nothing here was sponsored or gifted.
Most of the links are to Sephora, because that’s where I do most of my beauty shopping. You just can’t beat their rewards program or return policy. A few items are not available at Sephora, so they have been linked elsewhere.
This is not a budget-ista list. Lots of these items are pricey or investment products (looking at you, Dyson hairdryer!). Many of them also last a long time. I wait for sales to stock up, buy the value size of things I know I love, and switch off products to change up price points and formulas.
This list is meant to be a reference guide for the things you’ve heard me rave about over the years. I hope to update it over time as I find new favorites and fade out old ones.
Lastly, I love sharing my favorite things online and on the podcast, where I do Favorite Things episodes frequently. I see it as a type of gratitude list. Also it’s just fun. I mean, who doesn’t love a good lipstick recommendation??
Feel free to forward this email to friends. If they want to receive future Secret Posts, they can sign up here.
Let’s get to it!
As I age, I spend a lot more money on skincare than I do on makeup, and I wear a lot less makeup than I used to. Those two things go hand in hand, obviously. Makeup can be aging on more mature skin, and when I have great skin I need less makeup.
There is something to be said, though, for fussing with your face too much. I don't use all these things all the time. I think my skin would freak out if I did. Some products are more necessary in different seasons of the year when my skin is more dry or more oily or when I'm out in the sun more or when I'm in a season of wearing more or less makeup.
1. CLINIQUE Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
I kind of hate taking my makeup off at night. I know, I know. But it's messy and sort of a whole production. Most evenings I take a shower before bed and use the Tatcha Rice Polish, but if I'm not showering before bed I love this balm because it is way less mess. It works well and feels good and I don't have to splash all over the place. You rub it in like a balm then simply use a warm washcloth to remove.
2. DRUNK ELEPHANT T.L.C. Sukari Baby Facial
I've been raving about this for years. I use this once a week or so if I need a little more exfoliation than my other products are giving me. It can be harsh, so go easy.
3. DR DENNIS GROSS Alpha Beta Peel Pads
Another longtime favorite that I buy in bulk. These peel pads are the quickest way to transform your skin in a short amount of time. My skin always looks better when I'm using them regularly.
I've never found a face wash that I'm just absolutely in love with, and I come back to these enzyme cleansers again and again. I switched to Tatcha Rice Polish from another brand about a year or so ago and have been happy with it.
Look, you're going to find a LOT of different brands among these recommendations, but if there's one skincare brand that I will ride or die for, it's Sunday Riley.
5. SUNDAY RILEY LUNA Sleeping Night Oil
This blue retinoid oil goes on before bed and you will wake up with noticeably softer skin. The retinol isn't too much for my sensitive skin, and I just love the way it feels. It does go on blue, but soaks in quickly and easily. It does not get on my white pillow cases.
This was my first step into the brand because it's a cult favorite for so many. I use this daily.
I tried a few different vitamin C serums for brightening, but so many of them smell weird. I like the way this one smells and I like that it's an oil. I use this first thing in the morning.
Moisturizers are my overall holy grail. I love them. I try all kinds. I go through phases. These are a few that have stood the test of time:
8. CHARLOTTE TILBURY Magic Cream
This is just what it says it is: magic. This works no matter what else is going on with my skin, any time of year, any part of my hormone cycle, and it always makes my face look better.
Honestly, the jury is out on whether or not eye creams do anything more special than other moisturizers, but they do tend to be a little thicker or denser than you might want on your cheeks or forehead, and keeping that sensitive under eye area moisturized does make my makeup look better.
10. TATCHA The Dewy Skin Cream
The first time I tried this one several years ago, it was too thick for me. But I've since learned to love it when my skin is dry and just drinks it up.
11. LIVING LIBATIONS Best Skin Ever
A longtime favorite, this is what I reach for before shaving my face every 10 days or so. I'm convinced it has healing properties.
Listen, the stress puff is real. When I get stressed or overwhelmed, it shows on my face. Here are a few things that really do work wonders when it comes to depuffing, whether it's from stress, travel and jet lag, too much alcohol or sugar or salt (or all of the above):
My puff shows up first in my jowl area. This is cooling and gives you results in 20 minutes. (You might have seen me wearing this one on Instagram.)
13. CLARINS V-Facial Intensive Wrap
Sometimes I use this in addition to the chin strap if I really feel like I need it. It kind of has a marshmallow texture. Like all of these products, it is also cooling.
14. PETER THOMAS ROTH Gel Eye Patches
When I am tired, I look tired. Brightening up the eye area helps immensely. I especially love these when I travel. Also just the ritual of them makes me feel luxurious.
Yes, this has become very popular on Tik Tok and the like in the last few years, but I do see a difference when I use this along my jawline regularly.
Beauty & Style episodes of
If you like these recommendations, then you might be interested in these episodes of the podcast:
Ep 220: The Future of the Beauty Industry (with Urban Decay and Caliray founder Wende Zomnir)
Ep 207: How To Build Your Best Wardrobe (with Alison Lumbatis)
Ep 192: OBSESSED (Jamie Golden Returns!)
Ep 177: How To Find Your Signature Style
Ep 123: How To Feel Pretty When You Don't
I'm not afraid to try new foundations, because I'm a sucker for the promise of a perfect finish. But these are foundations that stay in rotation for me:
This is the newest (to me) product on the whole list. I have been wearing this as my daily work-from-home face for several months now and I love it. It makes me look like I have great skin. Two caveats: it is pretty sheer (that's why it's called a tint) and also it has a weird smell. I think it smells like play-doh. I've gotten used to it, but I wish it was fragrance free.
The GOAT of foundations, as far as I'm concerned. I wear this when I want to look done up - like when I do a full face of makeup. It has a gorgeous finish and goes on like a dream.
This is an old standby that never lets me down. Every time I wear this, someone compliments my skin. This is for daily (not fancy) wear, and hits somewhere between the Ilia Skin tint and the polish of the Armani.
4. IT COSMETICS Bye Bye Foundation
This is my favorite full coverage foundation, and I only reach for it in the winter or when I'm having a lot of redness. It is very, very pretty, I just don't need this much coverage very often. I like this formula much better than the popular CC Cream from the same brand. This foundation is only available at ULTA.
This is the holy grail of concealers. Period.
I wish I had an eye shadow palette that I could tell you would change your life, but the truth is that I've spent a lot of money trying out the most popular eye shadows, and still haven't found a favorite that is worth the hype. I do love to emphasize my eyes, though, with some of these favorites:
My eyebrows have sort of disappeared in the last few years (after spending my youth battling a unibrow!) so eyebrow pencils are a must. This one is tried and true.
7. CALIRAY Come Hell of High Water
I never thought anything could ever top my beloved Loreal Voluminous, but I decided to give this mascara a try after interviewing Caliray founder Wende Zomnir on the podcast. I totally get it now. This has become a staple.
I have literally been using this mascara since high school and have tried so many things over the years and nothing beats it. The curved brush is a must.
9. LAURA MERCIER Caviar Eyeshadow Stick
The quickest, easiest, laziest way to give your eyes a pop.
I have this in so many colors. It glides on so easily and stays.
I am now of the belief that blush and/or bronzer is the most important thing on my face. (It used to be mascara.) I just look pale and sad without it.
What a classic. I use this in Orgasm (blush) and Laguna (Bronzer) regularly and it never fails me. This does have a shimmer to it, which may or may not be your vibe.
Okay, I've never used this on my lips, but as a blush it stays in my makeup bag at all times. Such a pretty, easy formula, and it's small, so it travels easily, unlike many other blush options.
13. WESTMAN ATELIER contour stick
This is also a small tube, but it looks so natural with just a little bit of blending.
I have loved everything I've tried from this brand, but the blush is the standout. You can't mess this up. It is beautiful. I have it in two shades: Beverly Hills and Cheeky.
Even though a bright, bold lip has been my signature look for most of my life, I'm actually moving away from that lately. I still call upon the power of a bold lip when I need it, and certain outfits just scream for it, but most of the time these days I'm going for something a little softer. I know, I'm shocked, too.
This preference also coincides with some of my favorite lipsticks becoming discontinued by their brands, so maybe there really is a season for all things. What I'm wearing the most lately:
If you have seen me in a bold lip lately, it is most likely this one in the color FullPanic. It is nearly a perfect shade for me, but it is bold and it does.not.budge.
I also need lip liner more than I used to, as lipstick tends to migrate more these days. I still love the NARS lip pencils.
17. CHANEL CoCo Rouge Lip Gloss
This is pricey, but it always looks good.
One of my newer obsessions, I now keep these in purses, in the car, anywhere I might need a little boost of color and moisture. My favorite shades are Only You and Maybe Violet.
19. CHARLOTTE TILBURY lipsticks
I have probably six of these colors across different formulas (matte or satin). The very popular Pillow Talk shade was always a little too orange-y for me, but then they released a Pillow Talk FAIR that is much better suited to my skin tone. You really can't go wrong with CT.
Okay, I know HAIR is not skincare OR makeup, but I couldn't resist sharing some of these favorites, especially since they're things you might want to grab on sale.
1. BUMBLE AND BUMBLE Thickening Shampoo
I buy this in the economy size because it is the only shampoo that lets me go days between washes.
This is an absolute absurd price for a hairbrush (this will be a theme in this section) but I have also had mine for over 5 years now and it is the best. If you can stomach the initial price, it's worth it in the long run.
You might have noticed a pattern in my recommendations that I am really sensitive to fragrance. Most hairspray smells gross to me. Like chemicals. But this hairspray smells great. Like the beach. It's not the firmest hold, but it's great for every day beach-y styles.
I have tried most of the Dyson hair products now, and while I have genuinely liked every one (I'm currently new to the Air Straight, which I'm loving because it works on wet hair, but want to see how I feel in a few months), the hair dryer is the thing I really wouldn't want to live without. I swear by it and think it's absolutely worth the investment. Whenever I'm forced to use another hair dryer (like while traveling or something), I notice a difference immediately. The Dyson hair dryer is so good.
5. BUMBLE AND BUMBLE Surf Spray
Another long time favorite, I spritz this is towel dried or air dried hair for a messy, beachy look that looks intentional and not just messy.
(Not pictured)
This is still my favorite curling iron. It does have a learning curve, but this is the curling iron that gets that still trendy wavy look. Go for the 1.25 barrel so that the curls are loose.
This is one of my favorite things of 2025 so far. When I started to notice that my hair seemed unusually dry and straw-like (likely from over processing and hormones and aging), I went in search of a solution. After trying several popular at-home masks and treatments, this is the big time winner. This MONEY hair mask does exactly what the tub says it does: make my hair look expensive and shiny.
Feeling a little glow yet?
I hope these recommendations gave you a little distraction and maybe a little inspiration.
Sending you strength and peace in this season,
Putting sweat bands on my wrists helped me with the messiness of washing my face. Like good old fashioned cheap sweatbands.
Appreciated this all in one place. Glad to see my Nars tinted m. here. You and Jamie got me addicted to the Dr Gross peel pads, though I never use them regularly. They are more of a treat.
Trying the SR vitamin C + turmeric in this sale, thanks!
Your long-ago beach waver rec is still one of my favorite tools!