Last month, we spent a week in Palm Springs at one of our favorite houses in the Las Palmas neighborhood. This mid-century oasis has more than enough rooms for 6 adults and 2 small children (all of my immediate family) and the pool and accompanying grounds are an absolute dream. Because we drove, I was able to pack everything I wanted (and more!) so I could really enjoy the products I’d been testing all summer.
From skincare to makeup to a long awaited restock of one my favorite lip colors of life, this is a beauty-centric diary entry of epic proportions.
Read to the end for a special BP on-air announcement as well as an event I’m hosting at Neiman Marcus later this month!
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches and images of everything in action as well as the Bottom Line…
While out of town, my beloved Au Naturale lip stain in LA relaunched and I couldn’t be more elated. This perfect peachy pink hue has the lasting power of a stain and the moisture of a creamy lipstick. As is the case for all Au Naturale products, the formula is 100% clean and sustainably produced in small batches in Wisconsin. I love wearing it over a nude lip liner for the fresh flush that instantly brightens the face.
So pure you could eat it, LA glides over lips, helping to visibly enhance volume with full coverage color payoff and a comfortable longwear finish that is gorgeous on its own or in tandem with other shades. It has been a handbag staple for me for nearly 3 years and I am so grateful that Au Naturale, after moving into a new lab and production facility this summer, is able to produce this gem of a shade again. Have you tried it yet?
//The Products //
Onto the products I packed and used while traveling! Our days at the house were spent over leisurely home-cooked meals and plenty of pool time so, while I didn’t go full glam (do I ever?) with the makeup, I focused on an excess of skincare, beauty devices and multitasking color options to create a look that was polished yet protected.
// Bedside Beauty//
I like to transport all of my nightstand musts in this stunning Dior Pouch by Miami Buy the Bag. This small business repurposes designer fabric into everyday essentials and I love supporting the line. Within my bag, I carry:
- Cymbiotica Topical Magnesium Oil: I have become accustomed to spraying this on my feet at night and it helps me to have extra deep sleep with no grogginess upon waking. Surprise side effect..it has completely reduced my need for deodorant (wild, but true…apparently there is a correlation).
- Skinny Confidential Mouth Tape: Mouth tape is controversial at worst and double-take inducing at best but, after months of committing to this practice, I love it. The process helps to ensure you’re breathing only through your nose at night, which leads to better sleep, brighter eyes and even a more sculpted jawline.
- LYMA Laser (thoroughly reviewed here): I am thoroughly committed to this device and my skin has never been better. It lifts, contours and brightens with every treatment.
- Anfisa An-Gloss: I have run through at lest 3 tubes of this gorgeous lip product…it is intensely hydrating and nourishing and always leaves my lips feeling volumized and healthy.
- ReVive Advanced Perioral Lip Serum: To target fine lines in the upper lip region, there is nothing better than this luxurious serum. Just a tiny drop nightly and you’ll notice a difference in a few weeks.
- ZIIP Halo (use ZIIPWITHBP for best savings): My other beauty device of choice (especially when traveling), this tool improves the look of skin on top while also firming and sculpting under the surface. The results are immediate as well as long term and I’ve been using it for nearly 4 years.
- Olivia Umma Lip Gloss: Insanely shiny with a soft pink hue, this gloss, in a word, is special.
- Manucurist Active Smooth and Manucurist Active Shine: I love this pairing to strengthen my nails while giving them a clean, reflective beige finish…this line is all I’ve been using since May!
//Cleansers + Hair//
- Tower28 SOS Cleanser: An ultra gentle formula with zero fragrance to clean without stripping.
- Oliva Umma Cleansing Foam: I’m on my 5th tube of this foaming cleanser that leaves my skin feeling exceptionally clean without feeling tight. It’s truly the best.
- Ranavat Renewing Leave-In Treatment: For hair, I love this newer formula which smells like jasmine and deeply conditions without weighing hair down.
- ROZ Foundation Mask: Lightweight and luxe, this mask delivers extra hydration in just 5 minutes…once rinsed out, my hair is detangled, smooth and volumized.
- The Rootist Shampoo and Conditioner: This pairing contains hair densifying agents to add thickness and fullness to tresses of all types. Best of all, the formulas are concentrated so the bottles are small yet mighty, especially for travel.
- Hask Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner: For glorious moisture and shine, this duo by Hask is magnificent. My husband and Joey use it as well and the fragrance is fresh and opulent.
//Brush Trio//
I use the Snow Fox Gua Sha Brush (use PROFESSOR10 for 10% off) to stimulate my scalp, which increases circulation and contributes to healthier hair overall. This seriously feels like a massage. To keep freshly washed hair from getting oily too quickly, I love the Vayose Brush to redistribute oils down to the lower part of my tresses. This innovative brush truly gives you an extra day or two between washings. Finally, my go-to for brushing out my hair in all other occasions is the S Hearts Brush, which I always have within arms reach. It gently detangles, stimulates the scalp and leaves my hair shiny and silky.
//FACE SKINCARE//
Despite bringing a ton of products on this trip to use, I kept my facial skincare routine fairly pared down. I used the ReVive Brightening Serum: in the day to add a cloak of brightening moisture and, if more hydration was necessary, the YOE Impossible Cream is an innovative and nourishing addition. For eyes, the Sisley-Paris Supreme Anti-Aging Eye Cream is my go-to of choice as of late. It smooths and hydrates on contact and feels silky yet lightweight, taming the look of fine lines in mere moments.
In the evening, I continue to reach for the Dr. Jason Diamond Metacine The Plasma and Dr. Jason Diamond Metacine The Emulsion, which synergistically work together to smooth, tighten and brighten skin, encouraging cell turnover without harsh side effects like dryness or peeling. It truly is wonder team!
For an errant blemish, there is nothing better than the TWIISH Zit Ain’t Cute (use Beautyprofessor for 20% off) formula, which zaps a zit in less than 24 hours. It hasn’t failed me yet! When dryness (it was 110 in the desert!) prevails, the ultra -rich, plant-based Anfisa An-Balm delivers, sealing in moisture without feeling heavy. I also love to use this as gliding formula with my LYMA Laser.
//BODY//
For the sake of organization, I’ll discuss these formulas in order of lightweight to most rich. The Uni Body Serum in Cedar Leaf Juniper Smoked Sandalwood is a weightless gel that smells like a spa while hydrating and absorbing instantly. When a glowier option is required, the Odacite C-Glow Hydra-Firm Body Oil is perfection…it firms and moisturizes so well and I actually just finished the entire bottle at time of publishing. Finally, a modern classic in the form of a fluffy cream, the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream bathes skin in plush hydration while smelling like a Brazilian vacation.
//EXTRAS //
Droplette with Growth Factors Capsules: I’ve been a Droplette fan for the last 3 years (full review on BP HERE) and recently started using the Growth Factors Capsules, which help with lifting and regenerating the skin with every application.
Serum Doctor Flawless Feet System: This system changed my feet and, because of this positive transformation, I never travel without it. I am not at all exaggerating when I say that the file, which you use on dry feet, gently but robustly removes dry skin from the most parched heels and the serum turns said heels into baby skin. After seeing the change in my feet, I now have my own nail stylist using this and she loves it as well.
Lisa Eldridge Cleansing Cloth: This cloth has cotton muslin on one side and microfiber on the other to effectively remove dirt and makeup. Sometimes in the morning, I skip cleanser and just use warm water on the microfiber side to wash my face and I’m left feeling clean and balanced. It’s everything you could want from a cloth and more.
Great Oral Health Pro-Mineralizer Natural Toothpaste: I am always on the hunt for a fluoride-free toothpaste that delivers results and this one does not disappoint. The pro-mineralizing ingredients help to rebuilt dentin and enamel while fighting cavities and leaving my teeth sparkling white.
//SUNSCREEN//
Naturally, we wore a ton of sunscreen on this trip and some of the formulas I reached for most include the Bloomeffects Tulip Dew Sunscreen Serum which is lightly tinted with creamy mineral SPF protection. I also used the Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin in Warm Glow, which is also tinted but in this case carries a slightly bronzier, more olive hue. Incidentally, I am wearing it today as I type this…it’s one of my favorites of life.
For Joey Elle’s delicate skin, we use the Baby Bum Mineral SPF 50 Stick on her face and the Shwally Sun Balm Sunscreen on her body. The latter is not inexpensive but the expanse of positive reviews (plus the fact that she had zero sunburns, even after 8+ hours in the pool each day) really makes a compelling case for it.
I also really enjoyed the Soleil Toujours Lip Mask in L’Orangerie, which is a tinted lip mask-meets-gloss with SPF 40 mineral protection and the most plush nude pink glow. I like it so much that sometimes I wear it out in the evening when the sun is through making an appearance.
//THE MAKEUP//
Although I didn’t wear a full face of makeup each day, I had some content to shoot while away and we also went out to dinner a few times so here was the makeup that I reached for. I am very much in love with the versatility of the Maxine’s Revenge French Face in Light Medium Sand and Medium Warm Beige (Use Rachel10 for 10% off). I mix both shades and buff them out with the Wayne Goss F4 Brush to create a bespoke base that doesn’t crease or budge and the serum formula plays well with skin of all types. It’s one of my most favorite beauty brand discoveries of the year! For under eye concealer, I used the Iris & Romeo Concealer 7, which is clean and creamy and it brightens without being overpowering. Cheeks were my usual lineup of Sisley-Paris Bronzer (applied with my trusty Sweed Blush Brush), Sweed Cheeky Blush, Armani Blush in Bold Pink and Makeup by Mario Cream Blush in Pink Peony. I like a natural bronzy pink glow and this array of options truly delivers.
The only highlighter I brought was the 19/99 Highlighter in Miele (I’m on my second one) as I love the dewy honey glow it imparts on the high points of the face and I used the Tower28 SOS Spray countless times throughout the trip to refresh the complexion.
For eyes, I focused on making my brows full and feathery with the MAKE Beauty Sculpting Brow Gel Clear and MAKE Beauty Sculpting Brow Gel Cool Brown and when I wore mascara, it was a coat of the Bake Up Beauty Tarantulash Mascara, which dramatically lengthens and volumizes with minimal effort.
Finally, for lips I used either the Lisa Eldridge Lip Contour in 2C or the Tower 28 Pencil in Paint My Number and Color Me Fine (see swatches below) and lipstick rotation of Tom Ford Fascinator, my Au Naturale LA Lip Stain, my Au Naturale Trenchcoat Lip Stain (returning soon!), a special glassy pink Colorlab collaboration shade (coming soon!) and the invaluable Anfisa An-Gloss.
The following images reflect most of the makeup I wore for the week…here’s a breakdown for reference:
- Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin in Warm Glow
- Maxine’s Revenge French Face in Light Medium Sand and Medium Warm Beige (Use Rachel10 for 10% off) blended with the Wayne Goss F4 Brush
- Sisley-Paris Bronzer
- Sweed Cheeky Blush
- Makeup by Mario Cream Blush in Pink Peony
- Sweed Blush Brush
- MAKE Beauty Sculpting Brow Gel Clear and MAKE Beauty Sculpting Brow Gel Cool Brown
- Bake Up Beauty Tarantulash Mascara
- Tower 28 Pencil in Paint My Number and Color Me Fine
- Au Naturale LA Lip Stain
// STYLE NOTES //
During our week away, I spent most of my time in swimwear but when out of the pool, some key pieces got plenty of wear including:
- Sezane White Button-Down: Understated French luxury in mid-weight 100% cotton that is slightly structured yet effortless.
- Free People Cutoffs: I have this style in multiple washes…it’s a perfect mid-rise that works so well in warm weather.
- Fendi Slide Sandals: When I bought these, I wondered how much I would end up wearing them; life has shown me it’s multiple times a week. They instantly elevate an outfit while still being casual and comfortable.
- Eclisse Neutral SPF50 Scarf: I was introduced to this company earlier in the summer and was so taken by the beauty of its oversized silk scarves which also provide SPF50 protection. They are chic way to give the neck and dec some extra defense and I always carry it in my handbag. Highly recommended!
–Shop the Post–
Bottom Line: I hope you enjoyed this look at exactly what I packed (let me know what caught your eye) and used while away and, as I begin packing for new upcoming travels, I will be reaching for many of these products again!
A couple of time sensitive announcements:
(1) I will be guest hosting for Manucurist Paris on QVC Saturday 10/12 from 6PM-9PM PST a
(2) I will also be co-hosting a beauty Founders’ Event at Neiman Marcus Fashion Island on 10/19 from 12-1PM. Hope you’re able to catch one or both!
In addition to the above, good things ahead including a fresh video featuring an easy makeup tutorial and a host of new launches for Holiday (!) 2024.
In the meanwhile, I post daily content on my Instagram and LTK shop so please make sure to follow me there, too.
Stay strong, seek wisdom, much love and more soon,
xx
–The Beauty Professor
**PR samples provided for review denoted by an asterisk (the rest purchased by me); however, as always, all of my opinions are expressly and unequivocally my own. © 2012-24 Beauty Professor® All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, reprint or republish content and/or photos without author’s written permission.
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