1.19.2014

# beauty # Makeup

Bathroom Vanity Tour and Most Used Beauty Products



This week's video was shot on my iPhone. Who knows what happened, but the viewing window is very narrow. Nevermind, you still get to see what's on my vanity and I also have written it out for you on the side panels (handy, that). I have a terrible cold this week, which is why my narration sounds so nasally and subdued. But enough about the backstory... let's get into the discussion!

I tend to only keep the products I use in heavy rotation and/or the most beautiful products I have on display on my vanity. The rest goes in the drawers in the vanity or the cabinet underneath. So you will see makeup/ haircare and beauty products in this video, but those aren't the only ones I use, they just happen to be what I am currently using the most. We don't have a lot of storage in our bathroom. In fact, this vanity is all we have (no shelves, no medicine cabinet, etc.) so I have to make it work.

Please Note** This is probably the most I've ever had on top of my vanity. Half of the products shown in this video are normally stored away in my drawers but I kept them out to show you what I'm loving lately. So this is a bit of a dual-purpose blog post.



Everything in this video has been purchased by me (except for the perfume, which was a gift from Mr. Connoisseur). I am including links where necessary.

Here's what's on my vanity:

Orchids! (of course)

Various orchid pots to store makeup brushes/ tooth paste

Mason Pearson Hairbrush (Investment piece but nothing compares. I mean nothing. Let me know if you want me to do a video on mine.)

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer spf 20

Aquaphor (I have had some eczema on my hands this winter... total bummer. This helps.)

Sephora eyebrow powder in blonde

MAC Prep & Prime natural radiance base (I'm loving this primer!)

Jurlique Redness Rescue Calendula Cream (You know I love calendula. This cream is wonderful.)

YSL Top Secrets BB cream (I've tested a few BB creams... this one is my favorite by far.)

Epicuren Volcanic clay face mask

Éminence Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer (The most magnificent moisturizer ever. Is that being too dramatic?)

Éminence Clear Skin Probiotic Masque

CHANEL Perfection Lumière Foundation

NARS Dolce Vita lipstick

MAC Dazzleglass in Bare Necessity

Hourglass lipstick in Vintage

Theodent Fluoride-free toothpaste (I get this at Whole Foods.)

Balenciaga Florabotanica (A present from Mr. Connoisseur. Gorgeous scent. Perfect for spring and, dare I say it, is rivaling my beloved Stella.)

Éminence Calendula Oil (and my love affair with calendula continues...)

Living Proof Prime Style Extender(for hair)

Simple cleansing facial wipes

Ecover lavender hand soap (I love this soap!)

Voilà! If there's anything you like the look of and want to know more about, leave a comment below and I'll try to do another more in-depth beauty video discussing it.

Check out this week's video for a closer look. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or check out my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur .

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If you'd like to join our book club in February, make sure you read The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer.

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Last Friday I reunited with photographer extraordinaire, Kevin McIntyre, to shoot the new author photo for my next book jacket. The fabulous Rita Montanez did my makeup for the day. She airbrushed my foundation... it was pretty amazing.

I can't wait to show you the finalized pictures. Thank you Kevin and Rita!


This week I would love to know... what's on your vanity? What are your most used beauty products? Tweet, Instagram, or facebook me pictures of your vanity and/or most used beauty products using the hashtag #DailyConnoisseur

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20 comments:

Carrie said...

I would love to hear your thoughts on the Mason brush. I have only heard rave reviews, but really, its just a brush! Convince me!! much love
Carrie

Greenjane72 said...

Oooh how lovely getting a sticky beak in your bathroom. Beautiful marble. We're hoping to begin the renovation process on our house this year and I'd love to creat a calm zen space in my bathroom. For now believe me our bathroom storage space is way less than yours and my makeup home is a shelf in my wardrobe next to my mirror. Works ok but not my ideal. Anyway, we have a lot of similar products except I have a love affair with rose hip oil instead of calendula. I love jurlique products (balancing day cream, rose hand cream...), Australian brand Aesop features a lot too (best moisturising hair mask), chanel vitalumiere foundation, MAC makeup brushes, clarins beauty flash balm, mason & Pearson brush (of course!), simple deodorant and cleansing wipes (I'm currently having trouble finding a great cleanser that doesn't sting my eyes - would love to hear your thoughts on cleansers), Moroccan hair oil which I use to protect my hair before blowdrying, various chanel eye pencils and mascara, MAC cream blush, sunscreen, jurlique rose facial spray, spare rose hip oil in case I run out!! There used to be a lot of extra junk too until you inspired my capsule lifestyle :) BTW I'm a few months into using a clarisonic and I'm very happy with it. You've introduced me to a lot if things I'd never have heard of otherwise. Yet again I thank you :) Also I want to request more posts about different outfits for all the occasions a busy mum needs to cover like school runs, park plays, beach trips etc and how to look nice in a casual way that doesn't involve sports clothes. Time for work. Bye xx

Unknown said...

My favorite foundation is from Motives and is custom blended to match my skin color. Current bottle has anti aging and SPF, but in summer they create a tinted moisture with SPF for boating weekends. I have coconut and olive oil. My clairsonic and neutrogena glycerin soap, which I have been using for years and Philosphy Pure. My AG Recoil (I have a scrunch hairstyle for my curly hair). And my sonic care toothbrush. Also a bottle of rose water. My vanity is granite blue eyes, which is quite unique. Love the idea of orchids in the bathroom. I also have Body Shop Almond hand cream. It smells so good and helps me get through the cold Wisconsin winters.

Greenjane72 said...

Can't believe I forgot my beloved diptyque rose room spray! I love this. It's the only room fragrance range I've ever really liked. Very natural smell and doesn't give me a headache. X

Monique said...

On my vanity currently I have mandarin hand soap, that's it! If I had a larger counter space, I would definitely have an orchid. Your bathroom is gorgeous, love the colors!

Deb said...

I'm envious of all you ladies with a vanity.
Mine is the top of the clothes dryer.

BeccaA said...

Thank you for sharing your bathroom vanity tour--the vanity itself is gorgeous, and so is your arrangement of products. Have you tried a gluten free diet--my husband used to have patches of eczema and breakouts and cutting gluten out solved his skin issues as well as digestive problems. It is easy enough to try going gluten free for a week to see if it is helpful.

Other than that, I don't use much in the way of beauty products--Moroccan oil for my hair, clinique dramatically different moisturizer, almond oil to moisturize the rest of me, mascara, and a growing collection of perfume bottles. Your post about perfume inspired me to experiment with perfumes--something I abandoned decades ago. I find that now that I am on a gluten free diet perfumes that used to smell awful on my skin are pleasant smelling.

Jo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LilyBart said...


You do have a lovely bathroom vanity. I have Carrera marble counters as well, but my products etch them (so I have to put down a towel when I'm working on myself!) Do you have this problem?

What I use consistently:

To clean:
- Sonia Kashuk eye makeup remover (its cheap and works - from Target)
- Dermadoctor Wrinkle Revenge cleanser
- La Mer Cream (have used it for a number of years. I'd love to find a cheaper substitute)
- Philosophy's Turbo Booster Vitamin C Powder (new discovery)
- Chanel La Nuit (Not sure it actually does anything more than smell great)
- Retin A (from Dr.)

Makeup:
- Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer (always come back to this - its great, as you know)
- mostly Bobbi Brown eye and cheek color
- Bobbi Brown's new Smokey Eye Mascara (just started using this - its really great - highly recommend it)

Scent:
- Chanel #5
- Jo Malone Verbenas of Provence (they've discontinued this scent - curses!)


I keep my brushes in a silver (plated) mint julep cup.

I would look forward to a "Holy Grail" of beauty product video!

Sally in Sydney said...

Hi Jennifer, another great video!

On my bathroom sink I currently have:

* a glass filled with makeup brushes (Sigma, Real Techniques, David Jones - an Australian department store - etc)
* Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Retinol Serum, Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel, Resist Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment and Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream.
* Tinted moisturisers from Becca and Stila
* Chanel's Correcteur Perfection Concealer, Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder in no. 30, eyeshadows in Beige and Candide, Rouge Coco lipstick in Camelia, Beaute des Cils Mascara Base, Inimitable Mascara in black and Eclat Lumiere in no. 40 (now too dark for me really).
* Essence All About Matt! translucent powder
*Jordana blush in Touch of Pink
* Grown Rosa Damascena body cream (an Australian company)
*Laura Mercier's Artist's Palette for Eyes 2013
* a cup filled lip Nyx, Stila and Bourjois lip glosses

I clearly have too much on my sink - time to do some tidying up and putting away!

Linda Kerr said...

A large, sexy bottle of Acqua di Parma, that Hub and I share. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Avene Retrinal+0.1, Lacura Q10 night Cream, Stila Convertible Color in Lillium, an Inglot quad, Pur Minerals 4 in One, NYX eye pencils, Chanel Rouge Allure...and much more....

Anonymous said...

I have a friend who was frustrated by the same narrow look to her iPhone video, and I suggested she simply hold the phone horizontally when she shot the next one...so the video would be "widescreen." Simple solution that worked for her!

Great video!!

Gayle said...

I love looking at/reading other peoples' stash....and I love the dark wood finish on your cabinetry. Thinking about the #1 item I can't live without has to be my sonicare toothbrush...I recall mine was in the $60-ish price point. It works by vibrations just like the clarisonic. Other random favorites I'm a big fan of Wen haircare (that's in my shower I guess), Philosophy Purity cleanser, and my Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealor.

LadyFin said...

We have 1 bathroom for my husband, toddler and myself, so space is limited and we enjoy having nothing on the counter for the calming effect in a chaotic life. Each of us have a basket under the sink. Here is what is in my basket.

-toothbrush/toothpaste (nothing special here)

- Goody hairbrush. Have had it for years, but am curious about the one you have.

-Complex 15 moisturizer. LOVE IT! Simple not expensive and really works. I love my skin after using it for the last 4 years.

- Neutrogena naturals night cream. Very few ingredients and lovely to wear to bed.

- Korres wild rose instant brightening eye treatment. Also amazing stuff.

- Neutrogena extra gentle cleanser, very gentle, removes all my makeup, keeps my skin looking great. Want to try using it with a Clairsonic!

- Marcell eye makeup remover. Just what I have right now. Not hooked on it.

- MAC pro lip palette in reds and browns. AMAZING! These two little palettes give me a custom lip colour that is perfect for my mood and outfit without having a tonne of lipsticks. I'm considering in investing in either plums or oranges next.

- Benefit they are real mascara. NEW FAVOURITE!!! If they stop making this I will be sad. I prep my eyelashes w/ vaseline, then 2 coats of this and 1 coat of l'oreal volume mascara in carbon black. So incredible that my husband noticed and said don't stop doing that, it looks really great!

- MAC blushes. I have collected six and have them in a palette that I like to mix and use depending on the season. Blush baby and Springsheen are my 2 favs.

- Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker is my signature scent for the last 10 years. They have stopped making it so I'm currently on the hunt. I am going to check out Stella to see if it works for me. Lovely is green apple and amber, so I'm wondering if rose and amber will be something that could work.

- Moroccan hair oil after I wash my hair on towel dry hair. Keeps my hair looking awesome! My hairdresser is in shock when I go in for a cut.

- Tresemme finishing hair spray. Nothing fancy, just what I have right now.

I think that's it!

The only other thing that I love is my nailsation LED nail light. I do gel manicures at home. I have a toddler and time is soo tight. 30 mins to apply (after she goes to bed) and lasts 3 weeks! So great!!

Unknown said...

I adore the orchids in the bathroom, I had no clue you could keep them in there. Last time I had one for 7 months, how old are yours?

sisty said...

Love your list. Perefume "experts" say it's bad to keep perfume in the bathroom because of the heat and humidity. Also, for LadyFin above, try Narciso Rodriguez for her to replace Lovely -- to my nose they are vy similar.

Busy Pottering said...

Last year we did a major renovation and were able to, with a lot of reconfigurations, make our bathroom a lot bigger than it was. We were able to put in a deep bath and twin basins. I actually prefer to keep all the benches clear as I have a lot of storage in my wall hung vanity and recessed shaving cabinet. I was lucky enough to have a power point installed in the cabinet too - great for the Clarisonic.

One of my orchids has been a bit quiet and tired, so on your recommendation I have put it in the bathroom!

I also use Method - Daily Shower on the glass shower screen. It is fantastic for keeping the glass clean. Our water is so hard and this product keeps the glass looking like new.

My makeup essentials:
Loreal make up remover
Clarins - Beauty Flash Balm. I've been using this for years. I think a good primer is so important to get a good makeup finish. Sometimes I might add a bit of SK-11 - Brightening Lucent Base for an extra glow in the evening. It's just too hot and humid here at the moment to use it at the moment.
Estee Lauder - Eye Illuminator before makeup and /or YSL Touche Eclat after makeup for my dark circles. Magic!
Revlon new complexion makeup in Natural Tan - I've been using this for 15 years. I love the texture and it is so easy to go for light coverage or build it up. So easy to use!
Revlon Living lipstick -Earthy. (actually just discontinued but I bought up so many I'll be right for a few years.) I just can't do a nude lip. I need a burnt corally red. If I want a tad more red, I go Bobby Brown - Orange 7.
My no make up eyes is to just add a hint of Benefit - Eye Bright above my lashes and then a Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara. This mascara is fantastic, it does not move during the day and comes off so easily - even without make up remover. I also couldn't go without MAC -Shroom and Mulch on my eyes for a more made up look.

Thanks so much for sharing you bathroom with us,

Meg in Brisbane, Australia

Maureen said...

I'm so sorry you're not feeling well! I hope you're better soon. I would love to hear more about your Mason Pearson brush. I've been considering buying one for months but have yet to take the next step. I would also love to know what round brush you use for blow outs. Your hair is especially fabulous these days!

On my side of our bathroom vanity, I keep my Sonicare toothbrush (I love mine so much and will never go back to a manual), Sibu Beauty facial cleanser (thank you for that recommendation ages ago), my Clarisonic Mia, Kiss My Face Vitamin A & E moisturizer, Kiss My Face hand soap, and my two favorite fragrances--Lanvin Eclat de Arpage and Dior Jadore. Voila!

Jason Holmes said...

Hi Jennifer,

I love your blog and have been following your posts for several years. My comment/question is about taking care of those quality items that we care so much about. For example a silk blouse or the marble in your lovely bathroom. Do you hand wash some of your wardrobe? How does one get soap scum off marble? I know those are two very different examples but I am very keen to know about both. Thanks for sharing your wonderful blog,
Noelle

Cardinham | Killgrew said...

Nice. Watch the ingredients in some of those. Check out Cardinham | Killigrew stuff.

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