True story — I’m pretty deep into my 30s and was recently denied a frozen margarita at a T.G.I. Friday’s in New Jersey. Yes, I was trapped in the Garden State without alcohol at a chain restaurant, but the fact someone thought I was under 21 years of age made up for it (kind of.)
The truth is, I subscribe to the school of thought that your skin should be your opus, and I’ve been taking care of mine religiously since my first-ever paycheck. I love when strangers ask me what products I’m using and I never have a shortage of gurus to recommend to friends and colleagues.
If your idea of a fun Friday night is (wine and) Googling "when to start dermarolling," we can definitely be friends. And — as this first step in our newfound friendship — I’ve compiled a guide to the under-the-radar beauty brands and specific products I swear by — and that every woman should know.
Fair warning: After using these, you won’t want to forget your ID at home. Like, ever.
Georgia Louise
Skin-care obsessives already know Georgia Louise as one of the world’s greatest facialists and epidermal goddesses, but if you haven’t tried her personal line yet, I can tell you it’s PURE MAGIC. Until this product, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with retinol. I’ve felt the need to love it for its anti-aging benefits, but my skin has always been too sensitive even with limited usage and introducing it gradually. All that changed with Georgia’s Vitamin A Serum ($130). If you want to introduce a retinol treatment into your routine, this gel-like serum goes on smooth and has never irritated or dried out my skin. Other must-haves from the line include: The Balm ($80, currently sold out but worth the wait) and Vital Finishing Serum ($150, which are like the tears of baby unicorns).
Medik8
The foundation of glowing skin is Vitamin C serum, and Medik8’s CE Tetra Serum ($115) is my MVP. This serum contains 7 percent tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which is said to have four times the potency of L-ascorbic acid … and they had me at "professional strength." This is the first product I apply religiously every morning on clean, toned skin. Add the phrase "pro-collagen," and it’s automatically desert-island status. Check out Glow Oil ($75) and Red Alert ($75) while you’re at it. You’re welcome.
In Fiore
I stumbled upon this all-natural line on Beautyhabit in my never-ending quest for night creams with scents that won’t offend my husband. He and I are both loving the often sold-out Crème De Fleur Complexe Rejuvené ($150). Not only does it smell amazing, but a small amount of this lightweight cream is incredibly moisturizing. Pricey, but a little goes a long way. Part of the brand philosophy is "Perfumery as Medicine" and using flowers which contain the highest healing vibrations of all plants: all of which appeal to my inner moonbeam and fascination with essential oils (which is an entirely different story, but I digress). I’m also currently obsessed with their Pur Face Oil Concentré ($85) and my next splurge will be Lucense Illuminating Floral Extract ($130).
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