Greasepaint: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

Hydration: 9/10
Scent: 8/10
Texture: 10/10
Packaging: 8/10

Believe the hype! This shit is real! I purchased this when I was in Paris, at one of those coveted French pharmacies you read about on Into the Gloss. It was on my shopping list next to Bioderma and all the Caudalie I could carry. I was always apprehensive about trying Embryolisse because I always read it was uber hydrating and not good for people with oily skin. I'm not sure when my skin turned to normal/dry from classic teenage oil, but it did and I never knew that I needed some intense moisturizer. And this is it, ya'll. It's not night cream thick, so you could definitely wear it during the day (unless you live in the south like I do and the humidity is almost 100% for six months out of the year). I like to wear two thin-ish layers at night and my skin drinks. it. up. It's got a calming scent to it; nothing overwhelming but just enough to make you think you're a classy, chic Parisian woman. It's also a perfect base for makeup once it settles in nicely to your pores and makes you look and - most importantly - feel supple and hydrated. The price is a little woah here in America (but I did find it for $16 for 30 ml on Target's website - I swear if they start carrying this in stores I'll be the happiest beauty junkie) but it's so so worth it!

Makes you feel like: Breathe by Kylie Minogue

Cinematic (Holiday) Style: Kate Winslet's English cottage in 'The Holiday'

I've been thinking a lot about homes in the English countryside: their coziness, their warmth, their gardens, candles, white framed windows, perfectly broken in kitchens, comfy reading nooks, books spewing out of shelves. And of course I was mesmerized by the cottage Cameron Diaz stays in in The Holiday after watching it for the millionth time (that's the joy of re-watching movies: you get something different out of them each time). I don't know if I had a past life living in the U.K. at one point or if being there is my true calling, but I always feel a home-like attachment to England. It's the only explanation I've been able to give myself so far. That or the universal sings of comfort and staying in all snuggled up are quite British: hot tea, rainy and misty weather, grey skies, meat pies, soft tartan and sherpa, a Thomas Hardy or Jane Austen novel. If only Cameron Diaz's character could relax for a minute, put the kettle on, watch Love, Actually, and enjoy a British meat pie then The Holiday probably would've been a bit less dramatic but hey, those are the holidays for ya.

Holigay - Christmas 2016

I haven't done a playlist in a hot minute. It feels nice to be making them again for the holiday and winter season. This year I wanted to make a Christmas playlist to celebrate the fact that I'm letting myself celebrate Christmas. It's not my favorite holiday and I've stayed away from enjoying it because of the forced happiness. But I somehow naturally associated it with the home-iness and classicism of the 1950s and made a playlist full of classic holiday songs from Frank, Tony, Ella, and Billie. Get yourself a hot toddy, wear your best red lipstick, and put on some gay 'ol tunes.
Holigay 2016
1. Happy Holiday by Peggy Lee 2. Winter Wonderland by Ella Fitzgerald 3. Silver Bells by Tony Bennett 4. White Christmas by Dean Martin 5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Lou Rawles 6. A Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives 7. Frosty the Snowman by The Ronettes 8. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause by The Jackson 5