Simple Beauty

nurture

Jun 21

A woman stopped me on Hollywood Boulevard last month, and asked if she could take pictures of my hair. Earlier that day, the young woman who’d served us breakfast said, “Your skin is beautiful. It’s just…perfect.” Later, in the crowded restaurant where we were having lunch, a man walked past our table, stopped, turned to me and said, “Your hair is very nice.”

Such kind words. (And a reminder that kindness can make someone’s day, in Hollywood or anywhere.)

Let me pause here for a moment and speak to thoughts that may be swirling right about now. The day I describe above is true. Also true? My skin gets blemishes with my monthly cycle; my curly hair mostly has a mind of its own (see the new photo in the sidebar); my best intentions do not equal a perfect record.

Thankfully, perfection isn’t what this is about. Nor is striving to fit into a random image or idea of beauty. It’s about living my best life, making the most of what I have, caring for what I’ve been given. Cherishing it, even. This skin, this hair, this body. Being willing to share with strangers who might stop me on the street, or in restaurants, or shops. And then, perhaps, inspiring someone else in their journey of beauty and body care. Bringing it here to you, too, openly showing what I do, what I use, how simple it is.

Loves, keeping ourselves well is reachable, doable, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’ve been reading here for any length of time, you’ll know that fussy and complicated are not my way. Not in home, not in life, and surely not in my beauty routine. Give me a simple, effective, safe product (in quietly beautiful packaging, even better), and I’ll look no further.

Later that evening, back at our little AirBnB bungalow, I laid out the things I keep in my travel cosmetics bag, and took a photo to show you just how simple it can be.

Top Row/Skincare:

Extra virgin olive oil - I bought this little apothecary bottle to keep in my travel bag and filled it from my oil cruet in my kitchen. I cleanse my skin with it every night.

Talar moisturizer - I’ve used this as a day time moisturizer for two or three years. It’s silky smooth.

Island Apothecary Rose Serum - Fiona from Island Apothecary graciously sent me a bottle of her rose serum last January, and I immediately fell in love and have used it as a nighttime moisturizer ever since.

Bottom Row/Makeup:

Aveda Concealer - I use this to even the tone of my naturally darker under eye areas.

Bare Minerals Original powder foundation - I don’t use a liquid foundation, as I don’t like to ‘cover up’ my skin. A light dusting of this translucent powder is what I prefer.

Bare Minerals brushes - these are the two I travel with. The larger I use for applying both the loose powder and blush. The smaller, I use for applying powder over the concealer under my eyes.

Aveda Brow Definer pencil - I began using this a few months ago after my hairstylist introduced me to it. It defines my brows well, while still looking natural. Love it.

Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! mascara - I tried this one on a recommendation and have mixed feelings about it. Love how it makes my lashes look. Not thrilled that it’s got a couple questionable ingredients.

Bare Minerals Ready blush - my favorite tried and true.

My haircare is similarly simple.

I wash my hair two-three times a week with Aveda’s Blue Malva shampoo and conditioner. To keep my curls frizz free and manageable, I leave a small amount of conditioner in my hair. I sometimes apply Aveda’s Smooth Infusion to my towel-dried hair. I let my hair air dry, then use Aveda’s Heat Relief on my bangs before directing their curl with a flat iron. I scrunch American Crew pomade throughout my air-dried hair, and I’m finished.

You might also like the post I wrote a while back on simple skincare.

And now I’m curious…are there gems-of-products in your beauty routine that you’d like to share?

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