SEP 14, 2023
my best-loved beauty products
by Anne-Marie Leduc
glowing skin
When it comes to skincare, I believe less is best. In my opinion, the only miracle cream is sunscreen. It protects the skin, helps prevent signs of aging, skin discoloration, inflammation, and much more. I also believe that the food choices you make impact your skin. A pro tip I learned when I was young is to avoid touching your face outside of skincare and makeup application, or wash your hands first. We can spread dirt, oil, and bacteria from our hands to our face, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Here are some of my all-time favorite beauty products that I use.
eat beautiful by wendy rowe
This beautiful book is my go-to resource whenever I need beauty advice. It's a cookbook that focuses on ingredients and recipes designed to make your skin glow by caring for your body from the inside out. It's my beauty bible that I revisit often. Plus, it serves as a stunning coffee table book.
the beauty chef glow inner beauty
I discovered this amazing brand during my trip to Australia five years ago, and ever since, I’ve been ordering their Glow Beauty Powder whenever I feel the need to give my gut a little boost. I firmly believe that true beauty starts from within, and a healthy gut is key to glowing skin. The Beauty Chef Glow Powder is an ingestible beauty probiotic designed to support gut health and promote radiant skin. It's rich in bio-fermented superfoods, vitamins, and probiotics, which help nourish your skin from the inside out, enhancing your overall well-being and vitality. I add the recommended amount to my protein smoothie, and it’s delicious! This has become one of my favorite beauty staples.
beauty of joseon Relief Sun
If I had to choose just one product, it would be this sunscreen: Rice + Probiotics (SPF50+ PA++++). It's the best one I've found so far, meeting all my criteria (SPF50, absolutely no white cast, no fragrances, no harsh ingredients, and not overly expensive). This is the only thing I apply to my face every morning, rain or shine. It also serves as my moisturizer.
tatcha the rice wash
Since I don't wear a lot of makeup, I don't double cleanse, and my skin loves it. This Tatcha cleanser is so good. It smells heavenly and gently washes away impurities. It contains the smallest amount of exfoliation grains and does not strip the skin. I feel luxurious every day I use it; I love it! i also love the fresh soy face cleanser gel, it is a very good product.
boom boom milk, violette_fr
This product has been a true lifesaver for my skin, especially after a severe allergic contact dermatitis episode that even sent me to the hospital. My skin barrier was seriously compromised, and finding anything that didn’t aggravate the redness was nearly impossible—until I tried this product. It’s so gentle that it was the only thing I could apply without pain, and it worked wonders to calm the redness and irritation. I’ve been using it ever since. The formula is lightweight, fragrance-free, and packed with soothing ingredients like organic aloe vera and oat extract to help restore and hydrate sensitive skin. It absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling soft, replenished, and balanced, without any heavy or greasy residue. For anyone struggling with a damaged skin barrier or sensitivity, Boom Boom Milk is a gem.
sunday riley luna sleeping night oil
I'm in my mid-30s, and I've started to notice signs of aging on my skin. I wanted to incorporate retinol into my skincare routine, and after a lot of research, I decided to try this Luna Sleeping Night Oil. Oil is more appealing to me than moisturizer. It feels incredibly good on the skin—lightweight with an immediate feeling of hydration. I use it every night before bed. I make sure to wash my face in the morning because retinol products don’t mix well with the sun. I've noticed that my skin has significantly fewer fine lines after only about two weeks of using it. From now on, this is my new best friend.
D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops
I've been using this serum bronzer since its launch in 2018. I mix a drop with my sunscreen every morning. It provides a natural look and instantly gives you a healthy glow effect. Not yellow, not orangey—just bronze.
aime mascara
This is the best "no mascara" mascara, if it makes sense. I like my makeup super natural; I don't even wear foundation, only skin tint. I prefer brown mascara over black and tubing mascara versus classic ones. I have sensitive eyes and I don't want to rub them when washing my face. This tubing mascara can be removed with warm water only, and it works like a charm. It is pricey though, but since I don't use a lot of products, I guess it's fine (girl math here).
Westman atelier baby cheeks blush
The most fun beauty product to play with for me is blush. I am a blush lover through and through. I prefer cream blush over powder, and this one from Westman Atelier in Poppet is my favorite. I think it makes me look younger, haha. It blends so effortlessly, giving my skin a natural, fresh glow that I can't get enough of!
westman atelier vital skin
I never wear foundation all over my face. I prefer to let my skin breathe, and the idea of having a thick layer of product everywhere is off-putting to me. I prioritize taking care of my skin and being mindful of what I eat as much as possible. I don’t mind if my skin shows imperfections; in fact, I choose to embrace them. Of course, like everyone, I have bad skin days, but I’ve learned to accept them. Recently, I tried the Westman Atelier foundation stick, which I apply to specific spots, and I fell in love with it. Additionally, I adore the RMS Un Cover-Up Concealer, which in my opinion, works similarly but is more affordable.
summer fridays lip butter balm
I prefer glosses over lipsticks, and this lip product is one of my everyday favorites. I don't wear lipstick often because I dislike having to check and reapply in front of a mirror. Plus, I'm not a fan of lip liner unless it matches the lipstick shade exactly. Additionally, I have dry lips, so matte lipsticks aren't suitable for me either. Westman Atelier's Squeaky Clean Lip Gloss in Garçon is also one of my best, which I wear occasionally or when I want to feel more elevated.
corpus naturals third rose deodorant
For quite a while, I was on the hunt for a natural deodorant that actually works. A few years ago, I developed contact dermatitis on my armpits, and after testing numerous products, I concluded that I am allergic to baking soda in deodorants. The Corpus Naturals line of products has been amazing. They smell incredible, look stunning, and work perfectly for me. Plus, the packaging is so luxurious. They come with a higher price point, but they are oh so worth it. The Third Rose scent is my absolute favorite. I've also tried their body wash, and oh my goodness, it is heavenly.
oribe bright blonde shampoo & conditioner
Okay, now onto hair. I know these products are very expensive, but considering how much I invest in my balayage appointments, it just makes sense to me to maintain my hair with only the best haircare products. Plus, I only wash my hair once or sometimes twice a week, so these products last me a long time. The ingredients in the Oribe line are top-notch and well thought out, and the packaging is so luxurious—it feels like I'm in a luxury spa every time I wash my hair. It might be an unpopular opinion, but I find that blow-drying is actually better for the hair than air drying. It helps close the cuticles, making my hair less damaged and much softer and shinier.
