Before I began blogging at Dressed for My Day I really wasn’t one to try new beauty products very frequently. I’d use the trial sizes gifts I received when I purchased my old faithfuls, such as Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Eye Gel Cream and their Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Face Serum, both of which I still love and use. But I rarely experimented with new brands or types of skincare and makeup.
But as a style and beauty blogger I find myself experimenting with new products much more frequently, mostly because brands reach out to me almost daily. But I remain quite picky about what I use on my face, hair and body, and I only share the products I really love and use. Indeed, I did try some great new products this year. But I also found myself settling into my personal favorites. So instead of sharing 23 newly purchased beauty products this year, I’m simply sharing 23 of my favorites, whether they’re new to me or not.
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These are not in countdown order; it would take me too long to figure out which are the favorite favorites. Ha! But I will let you know when we land on a product that I’m just especially passionate about 🌟.
#1 – Proven Skincare
In fact, let’s go ahead and start with a beauty favorite that I don’t actually use on a regular basis. I did a couple of YouTube collaborations with Proven Skincare, so I did use their products for at least four months of the year if not more. And I LOVED the results I got.
While I don’t continue to use Proven Skincare, I do believe in the system. They formulate your three essential products based on your answers to a fairly exhaustive questionnaire, taking into consideration factors such as age, location, screen usage, travel frequency, stress levels, as well as the usual criteria. And I found that the formulations they sent me were extremely effective and good on my skin.
Sometimes readers and viewers ask me why I no longer use certain products that I have shared here or on my YouTube channel. Trust me, it’s not because I didn’t really like them to begin with nor is it because I’ve grown to dislike them. I simply am asked to review a lot of products. I tend to stick with the ones I am most comfortable with and that I enjoy. But I sincerely and heartily stand behind anything that I’ve recommended. I hope that makes sense to you because your trust is very important to me.
One more thing. While those videos with Proven Skincare were sponsored, this mention in this blog post is not. Hopefully that assures you that I only work with sponsors that I sincerely endorse. Oh, and you can definitely try to use code KAYHARMS at Proven Skincare to see if it still gives you a discount. Fingers crossed!
#2 – 🌟 Colleen Rothschild Beauty Face Oil No. 9
Now here’s a beauty product I swear by. Yes, this is one of my favorites of the favorites. I’d proclaim it from the mountain tops if it made sense to do that. I am a HUGE fan of using a face oil as your final step of your evening skincare routine. And I’ve tried several only to keep returning to the Colleen Rothschild Beauty Face Oil No. 9.
This Colleen Rothschild Beauty Face Oil No. 9 is the perfect weight for me. I use it after applying my nighttime serum and moisturizer. One squirt is all it takes. I started to go into more, but if I do that we’ll be here all day. So check out this original blog post all about Face Oils for more information. The main thing I’d like to say is that when I use this Colleen Rothschild Beauty Face Oil No. 9 before bed, I wake up with my face feeling moisturized and hydrated, not dry at all. Game changer!
SALE ALERT: Colleen Rothschild has extended their End of Year Sale. Use code END15 to get 15% off one product, END20 to get 20% off two products, and END25 to get 25% off three products. Keep reading for more of my favorites from Colleen Rothschild
#3 – 🌟 City Beauty City Lips Night Oil
Similarly to the face oil, I apply the City Beauty City Lips Night Oil at night right before going to bed. First of all, this silky oil feels and smells so good. But it has made my lips so much healthier. I’m a customer for life!
You can use my code kay15 to get 15% off sitewide at City Beauty. Really, I get compliments often on my lipstick, but I’m convinced that the difference maker is not so much the color of my lips, but the health. And City Beauty City Lips Night Oil has made all the difference in the world.
#4 – 🌟 City Beauty City Lips Plumping Gloss
We might as well go ahead and talk about the other lip favorites. I do indeed continue to use and love the City Beauty City Lips Plumping Gloss. I use the clear gloss before I begin putting my makeup on so that my lips are nice and soft before I put on my lipstick.
When I’m ready to apply my lipstick, I usually blot off excess gloss, apply the lipstick and then apply another thin coat of the City Beauty City Lips Plumping Gloss. Perfection. It plumps, softens and keeps my lips healthy.
I think I have demonstrated this product more in videos than here on the blog, so I can’t find any photos of my using it. But followers who have purchased it frequently write me about the great results they’re getting, too.
#5 – Necessaire Body Care Products
I love using my Necessaire Body Care Products every day. They bring spa quality to everyday skincare. I love the Eucalyptus scent of the body wash and exfoliator, but they also come in unscented.
I use the Necessaire body wash, body serum, and body lotion on a daily basis. I use the body exfoliator a couple of times a week, mainly in the warmer months when I’m exposing my skin more. And I always mean to use the body oil, but rarely remember to. The 5-piece Holiday Gift Set that I shared in the video below is still available and it’s definitely the best deal.
#6 – Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
While I’ve switched to Colleen Rothschild for many of my skincare products, I still prefer the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. It’s a definitely silkier and and cleans my skin without stripping it of moisture.
I find that if I watch for discounts, which Elemis frequently offers, the cost of the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is similar to the price of the Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm. That said…
#7 – Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm
I do still use the Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm sometimes, too. You’ll see that I also love the CR travel kit, which of course includes a small container of the Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm. So I end up using it quite often. And there’s just nothing wrong with this cleanser either. I still highly recommend it, especially if you’d prefer to use other CR products and like to keep them all in the same brand.
Just keep in mind that the Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm is less silky. But it’s still an excellent cleanser. I guess I’m a little obsessed with texture, and I prefer the Elemis product for that reason.
#8 – 🌟 Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir
Another Elemis product I use daily is the Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir. I had some skin troubles all this fall and had to eliminate ALL of my skincare products and reintroduce them one at a time. I hated doing that because I love all of these products I’m sharing. But the one I missed the most and that made the biggest positive difference when I restarted using it is the Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir.
Somehow this Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir truly makes my skin more vibrant, reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, minimizes redness and just changes the textures of my skin for the better. By the way, it turned out – after months of trying to diagnose the constant itch around my neck – that I have a sensitivity to wool. So I’m minimizing my exposure to wool. Nothing to do with skincare at all!
#9 – 🌟 City Beauty City Lash
I have extremely sparse and thin lashes. And City Beauty City Lash has not changed that completely, but it’s definitely improved the situation. Before I would go through seasons of having almost no lashes. But now my lashes are the fullest and longest they’ve ever been.
I apply a thin line of the City Beauty City Lash right along my upper lash line morning and night. Remember to use code KAY15 for 15% off at City Beauty, if you’re interested.
#10 – 🌟 Colleen Rothschild Retinol Supreme Eye Cream
I’m a big believer in using a good eye cream, and I get the best results using the Colleen Rothschild Retinol Supreme Eye Cream every morning right after I get out of the shower. For almost 60, I really think the area around my eyes looks pretty good. And I credit that to the Colleen Rothschild Retinol Supreme Eye Cream.
I use the Colleen Rothschild Retinol Supreme Eye Cream in the morning, but I still enjoy using the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Gel Cream at night.
#11 – Colleen Rothschild Extreme Recovery Cream
After using the Colleen Rothschild Discovery Kit on my travels, I switched to using the Colleen Rothschild Extreme Recovery Cream as my daytime moisturizer. I’ve grown to appreciate how light and silky it feels.
Just a very small amount (less than I applied in the photo above!) of this silky Colleen Rothschild Extreme Recovery Cream will adequately cover and moisturize my entire face and neck. So a little goes a long ways with this cream. It stays with me all day and creates a nice surface for makeup application.
#12 – Tarte tartelette in bloom Amazonian clay palette
I used to stay away from any sparkle or shimmer in eyeshadow. But this year I’ve started adding just a little in the center of my eyelid right above my iris. That led me to the Tarte tartelette in bloom Amazonian clay palette, which I absolutely love.
I mostly use the matte shades still, but I do enjoy adding a little bit of the funny girl or rocker for special occasions or even videos. Tarte tartelette in bloom Amazonian clay palette is one of their most popular palettes. You can use code kay10 for 10% off at Tarte if they don’t have a better offer. My code doesn’t usually stack with others they offer.
#13 – 🌟 Angie Hot & Flashy Travel Makeup Brush Kit
I love all of my BK Beauty makeup brushes. I do in fact have them all because they were gifted to me. But I really prefer the Angie Hot & Flashy brushes. These brushes were designed especially for women over 50. They’re super soft and angled for application for our unique needs. And the quality is unparalleled. I’ve been using these brushes for about 18 months, and not one bristle has fallen out ever.
That’s why when the Angie Hot & Flashy Travel Makeup Brush Kit came out, I grabbed it! Not only do I love these brushes, but this travel case opens and folds down to create a “cup” that holds your brushes while you use them. Perfection.
#14 – 🌟 Estee Lauder Futurist SkinTint Serum Foundation
I switched foundation recently and I don’t think I told you. Oops! Since mid-October I’ve been using the Estee Lauder Futurist SkinTint Serum Foundation, and I’m in love. This foundation is a sheer, tinted foundation that also has skincare properties. So it goes on a little lighter (weight-wise) than my previous foundation.
I’ve been trying for years to lighten up my foundation, but never was satisfied by the coverage I got with most bb creams or tinted moisturizers. I have some redness and blotchiness that i like to cover, but I also wanted a more natural “no-makeup” look, which I think is better for us women over 50. So when I heard about the Estee Lauder Futurist SkinTint Serum Foundation, I jumped on it. Sure enough it gives me the coverage I need, doesn’t settle into my pores or lines at all and looks fresh and pretty all day. I’m loving it. I use the shade 2C3 Fresco.
#15 – Lancome Définicils Mascara Gift Set
I’m still using and enjoying my Lancome Definicils mascara and primer. I’ve tried others of both, and I always come back to these. These products go on a little thinner to define and elongate lashes rather than bulking them up, and that’s what my thin lashes need.
#16 – City Beauty Beyond Mascara
But I also use the City Beauty Beyond Mascara. I apply it after applying a couple of coats of the Lancome Definicils. That way I do get a little of that bulk. I find that this mascara goes on beautifully and doesn’t leave my thinner lashes looking clumpy or matted together.
I then go back over my lashes with another coat of the Lancome Definicils to separate and define a little better. I know. That sounds like a lot. But it’s just how it is.
#17 – Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
I have rarely mentioned the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer I use because it’s embarrassingly pricey. But I’ve decided to go ahead and share that this hair dryer really is a beauty essential for me. When ever I travel and can’t take my Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer along with me, I miss it like crazy. I just don’t get the same results with any other hair dryer.
I use all three attachments that the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer comes with. And I love the airflow and the settings. I definitely don’t recommend running out and getting this pricey hair dryer if you’re having success without it. But if you need a hair dryer that dries your hair a little quicker with less damage, I highly recommend the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer.
#18 – Bumble and bumble Bb Curl Moisturizing Shampoo & 3-in-1 Conditioner
I started letting my hair be wavy/curly a little more this year, so the Bb Curl Moisturizing Shampoo & 3-in-1 Conditioner my hairdresser recommended has been a must-have.
These products have really helped me achieve my hair goals. They do just what they claim to do.
#19 – Dipbrow Pomade® Waterproof Brow Color
As a true blonde gone grey, I have to add some definition and color to my brows. The product that gives me the most control and best results is the Dipbrow Pomade® Waterproof Brow Color.
It takes a little practice, but after using it a few years now, I feel like I get really good results with the Dipbrow Pomade® Waterproof Brow Color most days. You have to purchase a brow brush separately. (Its the one brush that I don’t use from BK Beauty)
#20 – Estee Lauder Pure Color Creme Lipstick in 420 Rebellious Rose
Every fall and winter I switch to Estee Lauder Pure Color Creme Lipstick in 420 Rebellious Rose for my everyday lipstick. Sure I switch to a pink tone if I wear pink clothing. But this “neutral” red/rose shade is so versatile and works with most everything I wear during the cooler months.
And yes, I do indeed wear Rebellious Rose some in the spring and summer, too. It’s creamy and goes on beautifully.
#21 – TSA Approved Clear Toiletry Bags
I have loved traveling with these TSA Approved Clear Toiletry Bags this year. I sort them for skincare and hair care when traveling by car. But I sort them so that I have only one bag with liquids and the others for “equipment” when traveling by airplane.
These are so much better to use than a sandwich bag. And they’re easier to get in and out of, too.
#22 – Colleen Rothschild Quench & Shine Travel Essentials Set & Discovery Collection
Speaking of travel, I now always use the Quench & Shine Travel Essentials Set & Discovery Collection from Colleen Rothschild when traveling. I love the sizes of these products, the amount of product you get in them (easily last me over two weeks) and the quality of the products.
In fact, after using the Quench & Shine Travel Essentials Set & Discovery Collection this year, I switched to using the Colleen Rothschild hair care products all the time (when I’m not wearing my hair curly).
#23 – ZIIP Halo Device
Finally, yes! I really do use and love the ZIIP Halo Device that I shared in this video. It’s easy to use and is getting me real results.
I did stop using the ZIIP Halo Device for a spell when I couldn’t figure out my itchy skin issue. But I’ve resumed usage now and I’m so glad. It definitely gives my skin a more even tone, a vibrance and even some subtle contouring that I don’t get without it.
So those are my top 23 favorite beauty products from 2023. I hope this was interesting and maybe even helpful for you. Let me know if you use any of the products and how they work for you. Thanks so much for dropping in today!
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Blessed for My Day
I guess we assume that the biggest mistake Eve made was biting into that forbidden fruit. Indeed, that was the initial sin that resulted in our separation from God. But Eve made other mistakes that led to that crucial misstep. The first mistake she made was even acknowledging and entering into conversation with a serpent. How foolish.
It occurred to me this morning that I make the same mistake when I acknowledge and enter into conversations with a fool, too. How do I do that? When I entertain thoughts that are not based on truth, I have a similar “garden conversation.” When I allow those thoughts to become conversations in my head, they fill me with unhealthy emotions like doubt, fear, jealousy, resentment and regret. Those conversations can even lead me to do what Eve did: doubt God’s goodness. So I’m trying to recognize those “garden conversations” and shut them down.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” ~ Genesis 3:1-3
Happy Anniversary! You’ve had such a blessed year, especially with that beautiful new granddaughter. 🙂 Today is not our wedding anniversary, but it is the 48th anniversary of our first date! lol We’ll be married 46 years this upcoming October. It was a blind date set up by my sister and her then boyfriend, now husband who also happens to be my husband’s 1st cousin. He swept me off my feet with little notes and flowers left on my windshield as he went to work. So sweet. And today he’s already made plans for a fun lunch out. We both prayed that God would bring us to the person God intended for us and He surely did. I love how we both had been praying the same thing. And what a fun discoveryt a few months in when we realized we had found our special love.
Enjoy your day – and thank you for all you do for all of us.
These Top 23 Lists are fun!
Thanks Kay for your 23 beauty products. I use many on the same products because of your recommendations. I use 4 of Colleen Rothschild’s products and when I went to reorder the face oil #9 I noticed a ritual candle advertised. I emailed her to find out what kind of ritual or what that meant and have not gotten a reply. I hate to sound like a nut but there is so much evil in this world that I want to be careful who I am supporting. Can you find out about this? Thanks,
Marianne
Hi Marianne. Thanks for sharing. I’m so pleased that you’re enjoying many of the products I’ve shared. I notice that CR has several candles, but when I read the descriptions I didn’t see anything that caused me to pause. I think it’s just the name of that one candle, implying that it’s a nice candle to light while your indulging in self-care rituals or habits like a bath or spa treatment or even reading. I may be wrong, but I don’t see anything alarming there.
Happy Anniversary Kay & James!
I am the reader/follower who shares the wedding anniversary with you.
We have been married 45 years today (and does time move quickly).
So enjoyed your blog today and honestly every day.
I learn something new every day and enjoy everything your gracious enough to share
Congratulations on your granddaughter – they are the best !
Congratulations! That’s amazing. Thanks so much for your kindness. ❤️
Does the City Beauty lash serum that you use twice a day cause the skin along your eyelashes to darken? I use a serum that definitely causes my lashes to grow but I have also noticed the skin near my lashes darken.
I also really like the way you style your hair, especially the arch at the start of your bangs. How do you do that?
The serum does not darken my skin in my experience. I just use a round brush to dry my bangs.
Love your best products and dress for my day.
Blessings for you and enjoy being a grandma.
Sincerely, Gerri O