5 Beauty Products I Need to Tell You About

When Kate's away, Elizabeth will play.

Greetings friends!
While Kate is packing her hiking boots and bug spray for a big trip Up North, I’m taking over to talk beauty, which I don’t get to do nearly as much after semi-retiring from the magazine and blogging scene. This means I have a backlog of products I need to tell someone about other than my husband or the mirror on the wall. These may not be the newest, sexiest or most groundbreaking, but they deserve a place in this letter because I have or will be repurchasing them—the highest praise I can bestow. Before we get to the goods, please note that LFQ will be on vacation until September 14, when Kate will have her moment in the sun to write about whatever she wants. I am selfishly hoping she weighs in on this developing story.

XO,
Elizabeth

1. VIOLETTE_FR Bisou Balm
   Consider me influenced. Between Violette’s effortless French founder slash makeup artist and the effortless looking hues filling my IG feed, I made my first lip color investment in years with a trio of this matte lipstick-balm hybrid. I j’adore all three: Amour Fou (warm red), Betise (deep rose), and Calisson (toasty nude). They’re sheer but not shiny, which I already have in spades. And while I wouldn’t call them moisturizing like a typical tinted balm, they also last longer!
   

2. Kosas Revealer Super Bright + Creamy Concealer
   Between getting the color, coverage and consistency right, experimenting with undereye concealer is like playing roulette. I have to hand it to Sephora for offering this one as a member reward because I otherwise would not have discovered how good it can be: brightening, creamy, and mysteriously still stays put. I also beauty blender it on spots and redness for foundation-free days and you’d never know.
   

3. Kristen Ess The One Shampoo & Conditioner
   Unlike New York where my blowout held for days, the water in Northern California blows. I don’t know what it is, because it’s not hard, but no combination of even my beloved Virtue works here. My hair felt flat and almost dirty within hours after washing until I tried this sulfate-free combo for a fraction of the price. It’s not perfect, I still need dry shampoo by day two, but I won’t be trading up anytime soon.
   

4. R+Co Cool Wind pH-Perfect Air Dry Hair Styling Cream
   Along with the trusty combo above, I still can’t believe this product exists, and silently thank my Texas gal Monica daily for recommending it. The name is a mouthful but I don’t care when it’s the only product that’s ever allowed me to air dry my hair without looking like I air dried my hair. And by that I mean unless I’m in a tropical locale where humidity prevails, I need to actually style my long, fine locks. Scrunched into damp hair, this potion gives mine just motion, volume and gentle waves to make me look like I woke up like this.
   

5. Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner in Cinnamon
   Okay, whoa. Forgive this cliche blogger phrase but where has this eyeliner been all my life? I’m sure all of the shades are just gorgeous, but it’s the Cinnamon I want to discuss. Never have I ever been able to line my lower lash line without looking like a raccoon or tired or overly made-up. Don’t let the “shimmer” description dissuade you; it’s more satin than sparkly and what creates such a softened effect. That’s a lot of alliteration to say this waterproof longwear pencil will make your eyes pop in the best way possible.

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P.S.

File Jones Road’s The Nail Polish Kit under beauty products I need least and want the most. My favorite bronzer is suspiciously way on sale (plus another $10 off with code HSN2024). Cute animal content of the week. Look into my eyes. Well hello Diane Keaton + Hudson Grace! Permission to dial drunk. These are now all I can think about. A Jenni Kayne dress dupe that is the best thing I bought all summer.

Got a pressing question you’d like us to tackle or a product you think our readers would love? Drop us a line at lesfemmesq@gmail.com.