Consider this a glimpse into my vanity; the products I use on repeat across skincare, haircare and makeup. While I’m always open to trying something new, these products have set the bar high, so newcomers very rarely make it into regular rotation. Basically, I like what I like, and I stick with it. Many of the products I’m sharing here are ones that I’ve been using for years. Only the good stuff!
SKINCARE TOP SHELF
Vetted Cleanser | My current go to both morning and night (though I do love this one from Tula, along with this Colleen Rothschild one). It’s a gel cleanser that is formulated to suit even sensitive skin types, which was largely why it appealed to me in the first place. Makes my skin feel clean but not stripped, and I like the addition of niacinamide for those extra skincare benefits. At night time I’ll often kick start the cleansing process with my good ol’ faithful Bioderma to help break down my mascara, before going in with the Vetted cleanser.
Skinstitut Glycolic Toner | I don’t use a toner every single day, but when I do, it’s always Skinstitut (also love their retinol oil, and oil cleanser!). This is an AHA-based toner, chemically exfoliating the skin. And I’m always floors by how effective it is, as even just one nigh of this in my routine has a solid impact.
Colleen Rothschild Eye Cream | When I tell you this is one of those products I just can’t live without, I mean it. This makes a huge difference to the face, as it is immensely brightening under the eye. And I need all the help I can get in that department (as a mum with two young kids, I’m often up in the middle of the night!). This instant brightening effect is thanks to the pearlized pigments suspended in the eye cream, while the peach-colored pigments help to neutralise blue undertones. What I love is that this reduces much of my need for under-eye concealer. Top 10 product in my stash, for sure. I use this solely for day; at night I’ll typically reach for the Emma Lewisham Eye Cream instead. Side note this Age Renewal Super Serum from CR is also excellent.
The Secret Serum | The serum I use when I want a hydration boost. Loaded with hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture, and antioxidants like Tasmanian Sea Kelp Extract, Kakadu Plum Extract, and Aloe Vera Juice, this also has the bonus effect of working to repair inflammation. I sometimes get perioral dermatitis flare ups and consistent use of this serum (in place of some of my other active options) generally helps to calm it down.
Emma Lewisham Supernatural Vitale Face Serum | I’m a little bit of a serums “junkie”; I have a few solid options on rotation but there are just a couple that I tend to return to for daily use. This Emma Lewisham Serum is one, as I’ve noticed how much my complexion loves this product. Mostly because it’s one that works to combat the signs of aging (something I’m really noticing as I hit my late 30s). Ingredients like neuropeptides help relax expression lines, while hyaluronic acid (hello again, my dear friend) helps to plump and hydrate skin. Also stimulates collagen and elastin production. From the same line, I also really like using the Supernatural Blemish Serum when I’m having a breakout. This combined with the Skinstitut Glycolic Toner I mentioned above tends to supercharge that treatment element and calm down any spots.
Avene Sunscreen Serum | Living in Australia, one thing I’m quite conscious of is how I’m looking after my skin. Sunscreen is a must, but also, it has to be cosmetically elegant and work well with my makeup. This SPF50+ serum sunscreen from Avene has been a bit of a game changer as it creates a beautiful surface to layer makeup on (combined with moisturiser). It provides high broad spectrum UVB-UVA protection, while also having the added skincare benefits from ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and aloe vera.
Biossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum | I’m a HUGE fan of their phyto-retinol (I used this regularly for years!), so was excited to upgrade to a heavier duty retinoid after going through pregnancy + breastfeeding with two little ones. This has a duo time-leased retinol and retinal combo, with the retinoid being most closely related to Rx strength. So incredibly active and efficient, it’s the type of product that you need to build up to. I will use this 2-3 times per week and no more as otherwise I find my face does feel otherwise irritated and itchy. Note that I do have sensitive skin so this lens is with that in mind. Makes my complexion look smooth and plump. Yes, yes, yes.
Colleen Rothschild Gentle & Clear Moisturiser | I remember being really intrigued when I first spotted this moisturiser on the CR website; it’s designed for skin that is blemish-prone, reactive, and sensitive. This feels soft and pillowy, sinks into the skin so nicely with a water-like weightless application. Not greasy. Makeup applies beautifully with this as the base. I have a few other moisturisers sitting in my vanity and have not been enticed to use them once because for day, this is IT. Another GOAT for me.
Raaie Ceramide Moisturiser | My go-to evening moisturiser. From the packaging to the actual use of this moisturiser, it feels like a bit of luxury end-to-end. And I love the idea of wrapping up my skincare routine on a luxurious high. Love the hydration boost this gives my skin, it feels plump and cushy, and really nice and soft. This has some super ingredients like NZ marine algae for deep hydration, and mānuka honey MGO 850+ to lock moisture in.
Remedy Lip Treatment | Aside from the CR Eye Cream, this is probably my favourite beauty discovery of 2024. I often suffer raw irritated lips that require a steroid cream to restore moisture. Very few lip products tend to penetrate the surface and richly, deeply nourish my lips. This is one of the few, and I’ve not needed to use said steroid cream once since adding this into my rotation. That speaks volumes to me. I love the slightly slip-like, almost lip oil type consistency on the lips. A must-have and another on my ultimate top 10 list.
HAIRCARE FAVES
Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Hair Masque | I have a slight dryer hair type, and what I’ve learned over the years is that it thrives when I add deeply nourishing haircare products into my routine. This hair masque is just that. I’ll use it twice a month (for reference, I wash my hair once per week), and leave in for 5-10 mins, combing through the product from root to end. Intensely nourishing, and is one of the products I can attribute to my hair health improving massively in recent months.
Dyson Airwrap | A full Airwrap review here on my website is on the cards, so consider this an abridged version. What’s funny is that for a good 9 months, I was so sure this just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t figure it out, it always looked terrible whenever I tried to use the barrel tool on my hair, and to some extent, I gave up. Two offhand remarks in conversation with hair stylists transformed the way I look at the Airwrap, and I was finally able to figure it out once and for all. My hair has never looked better. The difference between the before and after is staggering. I use this every single day, and I think my biggest tip is to understand what you want out of it, how your hair personally behaves and performs when being styled, and use that to guide the way you use it. Also, hair spray is a must. I do really love their Chitosan pre-styling serum too, which helps (but you can achieve the same effect with other products if you want).
MAKEUP ON REPEAT
NARS Pro Prime Eyeshadow Base | It’s had me in a chokehold for the past decade (almost), and while I’ve tried other primers, none have quite felt the same as this. I have oily eyelids so appreciate how this creates a tacky base for shadow to adhere to. No creasing, and eyeshadows stay put all day.
Tarte Tartelette Palette | One of my all time favourite palettes, I really love the edit of soft easy neutrals for every day. They’re smooth to the touch and blend out so well, though you can expect to get a little bit of kick up.
Heroine Make Eyeliner | My go-to brand for eyeliner, I’ll usually pick up a top up whenever I’m near a W Cosmetics. Lasts all day, and the black is incredibly impactful. For something that looks a little softer on the eyes, I’ll switch out to a dark brown. Easy to work with and a super sharp tip that stays sharp.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser (I wear shade 2N1) | Another one of those products I’ve been using for years. It’s a classic with good reason and while I seldom see people hyping this up anymore, it’s 100% worth it. I am very fussy about my complexion/base products as I want my skin to look like skin. But I also want to see even tone across the face and redness dialled down. This does both those things while adding a little bit of colour. I’ll apply with a beauty blender as I find that gives me the most skin-like finish.
Merit Clean Lash | I literally just ordered two more back ups of this mascara, as it’s my all time favourite. Beautiful, wispy lashes which just adds a bit more impact than when they’re bare. It’s a tubing cleanser so comes off easily with hot water but I usually use Bioderma for ease.
Benefit Precisely, My Brow Wax | My brows don’t get much attention, but when I do want to give them a little more volume and presence on the face, I’ll use the Precisely, My Brow Wax from Benefit. This gives them a bit more structure and shape while also adding in a soft touch of colour giving them a fuller appearance.
Jones Road “The Bronzer” in Dusty Rose | Technically a bronzer, but the rosey hue feels more at home on the apples of my cheeks, blended up slightly into the temple. This has a creaminess when swirling your finger in the pan, that becomes one with the cheek when applied (I like to do so with this Jones Road brush). I don’t wear powder face products very often but this is one I’m always happy to reach for.
Glossier Cloud Paint in Dusk | After I wrap up this post I’m hopping straight onto the Glossier site to order a top up. This is the blush I reach for most frequently. I’ll pop a couple dots of product on the high points of each cheek, and blend out with a fluffy brush. It’s hyper pigmented so a little goes a long way, but the way it just melts into the skin… It’s gorgeous.
Queen Musia Matte Creme Lipstick in shade Ada | While I generally favour a bit more shine on the lips, I will happily wear this matte creme lippie from Queen Musia as it feels so comfortable on. Not drying in that 2015’s way that matte lipsticks were. Formulation wise it’s probably the closest thing I’ve tried next to Merit’s mattes. You can see the side by side swatches of the three lip products I’m sharing here; Queen Musia is far left, Merit in the middle, and Violette_FR is far right. This is a beautiful option when I want something a little more pink on the lips, and when layered over a nourishing lip balm it becomes incredibly creamy and lush to wear. Basically, this plays very well with others.
Merit Signature Lip in shade Tiger | If you ask me what I’m wearing on my lips, nine times out of ten, it’s this. Tiger. The most perfect, slightly ruddy red-toned brown. Not an autumnal shade but more of a year round for me. The formula of this Merit lipstick is perfection. It’s creamy, semi-sheer but can be built up, and the colours are truly divine. They feel sophisticated but lean in on that 90s era of makeup. Something I can get on board with. My only gripe is that the formula is quite soft so often the bullet will come loose in the tube and it’ll look a little busted. I’ve used up one tube and am at least halfway through my second so clearly this isn’t a dealbreaker for me. Another one I’d pop in my beauty top ten.
Violette_FR Bisou Balm in Rose Latte | The Bisou Balm is probably about as close as you’ll get for that perfect “just been kissed” lip look. It’s slightly smudgy and watercolour like around the edges, with a soft focus blur. Even application too, which can be intensified by layering on more product, or left more sheer with a single swipe. Again another product that plays well with others, and my pick when I want something that will really brighten the face.
