Well, well, well, if it isn’t the start of a new month. I’d say “you know what that means!” but in actuality, you probably don’t, because I have not been terribly consistent with publishing my monthly empties and favorites (my apologies). In any case, please find everything I polished off and enjoyed over the past month.

Things I finished

Emma Lewisham Illuminating Oil Cleanser

I’ve only been a cleansing-oil convert for the past couple of years and now cannot imagine–and yes I am dramatic–my life without them. And I so enjoy discovering and trying new ones. This one by Emma Lewisham is so gentle yet effective, gets everything off while nourishing the skin barrier, and was truly good until the last drop.

Grady’s Cold Brew

In fairness, I go through a bottle of this every few days (and have for the past several years), but it bears repeating because it’s the best, thickest, most delectable cold brew and something I look forward to every day.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum

Another tried and true product, this Vitamin C alternative is a cult favorite for a reason. Despite avoiding sun exposure at all costs, my Sicilian heritage and olive skin make me prone to dark spots and I credit this little bottle of magic for fading any subtle marks and brightening my skin tone with consistent use.

Oribe Gold Lust Oil

Thanks to my aversion to hair cuts, the ends of my hair are a dead ringer for the bails of hay that cushioned my midwestern upbringing. But there is something truly magnificent about this oil, which gives my strands the same scintillating sparkle my chlorine-soaked, naturally blonde hair had as a child during the heat of summer. I’ve lost count of how many bottles I’ve finished, and no matter how many different oils I try, I always find my way back to this one.

Chanel Baume Essentiel

Personally, what I long for in a highlighter is not sparkle or shimmer, but a sheer, balmy, dewy, lit-from-within glow. And surprisingly, that’s not easy to come by. This highlighter (in shade translucent) checks every one of those boxes and then some. I just polished another one off, and despite reaching for it every day, it lasted me more than a year.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

This is one of those products I hoard and keep in various places: a small size in my travel bag, another in a handbag, one in a gym bag, one in a medicine cabinet, etc. It’s the high priestess of all facial mists and an instant pick-me-up, and I enjoy applying it with much drama and gusto both as a refresh and a setting spray.

Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil

For someone who is extremely devout to her skin-care regimen, my approach to the skin below my neck borders on neglect. I don’t know why I am this way, but it’s not good. In an effort to mitigate this, I headed to my beauty closet full of lotions and potions and grabbed this bottle of seaweed-infused oil (a Pisces’ dream!). And much to my surprise and delight, it’s absolutely phenomenal: absorbs quickly and somehow doesn’t feel oily, delivers intense hydration, and has a subtle but pleasant fragrance. By the way, no, I will not be giving a tour of my “beauty closet” anytime soon, lest you find me on Dr. Phil, as it resembles the inside of my brain: chaotic, at best.

Things I Tried and Liked

Sofie Pavitt Omega Rich Moisturizer

Last month I was DMing with the skin goddess that is Sofie who asked if I’d tried her new moisturizer. I had, in fact, not so she so graciously sent me one. And I cannot tell you how incredible it is. It’s light yet incredibly hydrating, and gives my skin a glow I’ve not seen since prior to my exiting the womb one fateful March morning.

Loops Beauty Wrapping Mask

I was initially both intrigued and a little dubious of this product, which goes on as a thick serum and peels off like a snake shedding its skin (unfortunately not in the form of a Birkin, but maybe next time). I’ve been wearing it to bed a couple of nights a week and, although it’s a bit of a bizarre sensation to wake up to, I’m very pleased with the smoother, more hydrated visage it reveals.

To My Ships Polygonum Body Wash

It’s rare that I deviate from my beloved Necessaire, but I recently christened a new body wash by To My Ships and good lord. It has a subtle grit to it, which I love in a hand and body wash, and is lightly fragranced by a seductive citrus that permeated my entire bathroom. 10/10!

Cos Wide-Leg Jeans

I am constantly hunting for a dupe for the Phoebe Philo Drop Jeans as I’ve yet to find a pair I love quite as much as those ones but cannot, in my frugal heart of hearts, justify dropping well over $1k on denim. When I was in Cos last week for a fitting, I tried on a pair of jeans on a whim. Jeans are tough (for nearly everyone, I think) but these are some kind of sorcery. They fit me like a lived-in glove through the hip, and have such a perfect slouchiness to them. One week later, I’ve already worn them four times. I was talking to my friend Charlotte (aka

Olivia von Halle Silk Pajama Set

There’s very little I love more than a pajama set, as it’s something that makes me feel like I have it together (hehe I don’t). But I’ve never been so fond of one as I am with this luxe little silk number from Olivia von Halle’s new spring collection, which is light enough to carry me through the looming summer months. And I definitely have many plans for styling these charming little strawberry shorts out on the town.

Leset Barb pants

These are what I reach for on days in which I don’t feel casual enough for denim, but don’t want to wear a proper trouser, either. They are so comfortable, so easy, and wear so well. Barb is one of my transitional weather saviors, and also a perfect travel pant.

Matiere Premiere Vanilla Powder

Although I am not drawn to most gourmand or vanilla fragrances, I have gone through two full bottles of Byredo’s Vanilla Antique fragrance over the past few years. There’s just something about it that feels so warm and inviting. In February, my friend

Shark Beauty CryoGlow Mask

I’ve always been intrigued by the sort of extraterrestrial-looking red light masks. I can’t vouch for their efficacy, but I can assert they deliver in drama and fun! I received this one a little over a month ago and have quite enjoyed using it every morning, and scaring the whole neighborhood while doing so. The cryo settings on the eye patches are particularly useful for me during allergy season when I wake up most days with comically puffy eyes.

Mejuri Chunky Huggie Hoops

I know it’s in my head, but any time I go to wear a pair of fun earrings I feel like they look so funny on me I usually end up taking them off. My solution: these little baby hoops. I’ve been living in them (and sleeping in them) and they are so subtle I forget they’re there, but bring some light into my face which is always good.

Merit Concealer Stick

There’s a time and place for everything, but I’m not much of a full foundation girl. Most days I’ll just do a light skin tint (my favorite is by Westman Atelier) and/or concealer and go on my merry way. I recently turned to this stick, which is both highly portable, easy, and effective. It generously covers any spots, and is particularly great for my omnipresent under-eye circles. So until I fix my sleep schedule, this is my new best friend.

VIOLETTE_FR Bisou Balm in Mon Cheri

I don’t know about you, but my favorite kind of lip is that which looks like I’ve just made out with someone: soft, blurry, imperfect. The makeup artist Violette really captured the essence of this in all of her Bisou Balms, and the newest shade–a warm brick red–is my current favorite.

Nili Lotan Yorke Shirt

Why is it so hard to find a great, starchy, oversized white shirt without any pockets? I don’t know, but it kind of is. I recently acquired this one by Nili Lotan and am quite thrilled with it.