What I’m Loving for February: The Beauty Edit

It’s February, and I’m in love. With a whole cadre of new beauty products. 

In a crowded field, I’m here to help cut through the clutter and bring you the best skincare and makeup goodies I’ve been crushing on. Because just as Miley can buy herself flowers, we can buy ourselves skincare, hair, and makeup products. 

Here are my Feb favorites:

If you don’t have a peptide serum in your skincare routine, consider adding this new booster from Paula’s Choice. Peptides help to firm the look of skin while making it more resilient and reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. This instantly absorbing serum is a true multi-tasker and accelerates your results when added to any skincare routine. And if you’re not slathering yourself with moisturizer, I’m all about this Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisturizing Cream with Ashwagandha + Reishi, a super hydrating and moisturizing cream with plant extracts and a peptide complex formulated for sensitive and dry skin. If you’re red in the winter, try this. It feels so soothing and is not as pricy as some of the other mega-rich creams on the market. The takeaway? Plussing up with peptides is a pro move.

If you don’t wear sunscreen, may I have a word? Sunscreen is a must to protect from the sun and environmental stressors and defend against blue light damage from so much time in front of screens. I am a big fan of Coola’s now cult-fav illuminating Dew Good serum for a bit of brightness and a probiotic-boosted glow as it protects. And I love their recently launched Full Spectrum 360° Mist, which can be used like a setting spray for your makeup to protect and defend that beautiful skin you’re in. Infused with aloe and coconut water, it’s also a great way to hit refresh between Zoom calls. 

For hair, this Living Proof leave-in treatment is an excellent night treatment that you can wash out or leave in the morning to boost tired winter hair. The only nightcap that will make your hair healthier, shinier, and happier after just one use. Apparently, good hair days require a good night’s sleep.

As for makeup, I am always on the lookout for the perfect foundation and, though I love my classic Armani, this new Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin™ Foundation is pure glowy gorgeousness and comes in a large swath of skin tones. It’s exceptionally natural and light but gives enough coverage to my New York winter complexion, which can be blotchy from ye olde radiator heat. IYKYK.

Also, my powder eyeshadow days have ended because of an ongoing style situation. I have yet to find the perfect cream shadow that lasts, but MAC makes a paint pot that is the best I’ve used. I love a swipe of their warm Bougie shade for something that feels pigmented yet pearlescent but not too heavy.

And as you ready yourself for Valentine’s Day, perhaps red lipstick can spice things up a bit. This blue-red from MAC looks gorgeous on most skin tones and is not drying, which I love. Also, this Gucci red is sheer and not too intense if you’re looking for something a little low-key.

Oh, and I discovered this Victoria Beckham highlighter while in LA, and it’s all that. It gives that perfectly healthy, glowy pop for a candlelight dinner with your boo or best friend. If I still worked from an office, this would definitely be in my tote for desk-to-dinner glow-ups.

And to take it all off, this oil cleanser from Black-owned beauty brand Eadem is incredibly nourishing and effective. And the new micellar water from French beauty star Garance Doré is as good for your skin as it is gorgeous on your vanity. Green is my color, and I love this packaging. I love micellar water in the morning to cleanse, freshen, wake up my skin, and prep for skincare and makeup.

And that’s a wrap from my private apothecary. Take stock of your “be mine” moments and snap up these great finds STAT. XO