New Year, New Beauty
This obsession with skincare and all things cosmetics, like many things, started with my maman; she was super low maintenance in that French Girl Way. As a child, I watched her get ready with olive oil as her moisturizer, black liquid eyeliner over a pale green liquid eye shadow (that, to this day, I’m trying to find that green shadow), and red or orange lipstick that she applied with her finger and then dabbed on her cheeks with what was left over.
The whole ritual seemed to be done in less than 10 minutes, hair included.
Then, sometime in my early teens, she discovered the Gift with Purchase. We started going on fun trips to department stores.
Until then, my idea of shopping as a kid meant thrifting at Saint Vinnie’s and hitting garage sales on the weekends.
I walked into the cosmetic section like I had entered the gates of heaven, and that was it: the smells, the beautiful people, the colors, the lights. I was sold.
It left such an impression on me that when it came time to get my first real job, I marched right into The Broadway (now Macy’s) department store, headed right over to the cosmetic counter, and landed the manager position with Elizabeth Arden (still not sure why they gave the job to a 19-year-old with no previous experience)
To this day, every year, I try at least 20 products I’ve read about, seen on social media (damn those ads), or been gifted by friends still in the beauty industry.
So, here are my top ten products for 2024. If you've seen previous years’ favorites, you'll recognize the products that appear repeatedly.
My Ride or Dies
My go-bag always contains Routine Deodorant in Super Star, the goē oil by Jao brand (available right HERE), Vital Balm Cream by Josh Josh Rosebrook, Fantasize Mascara by Patrick Starr, Milk Blush in color Perk, and cheek and lip color by Jillian Dempsey, in my favorite shade, scarlet.
Joining the list for 2024
Caudalie Facial Mist and Merit Great Skin Serum.
It’s too soon, but I’m impressed with
GoPro Neck Cream (I think it’s really working) and Typology Concealer. The Typology concealer has replaced my previous favorite, Kosas. I also like their skin tent serum that I picked up while in Paris last September. I've just ordered a new bottle because while I love how it feels and looks on my skin, it has a funky smell that seems to be talked about all over the Internet. I'm hoping this next bottle will be sans funk.
Oh, the excitement of the new year and new products! For that, I wish us a Happy New Year!
xo
Josette
P.S. Take care of your necks